Published July 3rd, 2025 by Hodder Books Historical Fiction, Romance Novel, Historical Romance, Contemporary Romance, Romantic Fantasy, War Story, Time Travel Fiction, Contemporary Fantasy, Historical Fantasy
Welcome to my review of this mesmerising story. Thank you to Anne at Random Things Tours for the invitation to take part, and to Hodder Books for sending me a copy of the book in exchange for my honest review.
********
ABOUT THE BOOK:
A spellbinding tale of love, strength and sacrifice from the Sunday Times bestselling author. Based on the gorgeous island of Malta in WWII, this is a story about the power of fate, and how sometimes, in order to find yourself – and to find love – you must first lose everything else. . .
Fate has brought them together. Will time tear them apart?
✨✨✨
2025
Named after a star, war correspondent Maia knows how to find the brightest stories – the tales of survival and strength – hidden amongst the dark realities of combat.
Now, travelling to Malta to visit her estranged father, with one more chance to build a relationship with her last remaining relative, she’s here to find her own story: never having found somewhere – or someone – she can call home, she’s desperate for answers that might show her where she truly belongs.
But when she arrives on the beautiful mediterranean island, she realises her long-lost family is full of more secrets than she could possibly have imagined. . .
✨✨✨
1942
Maia wakes up to find herself on an island under siege, a city in ruins – and knows she must have been sent here for a reason.
Who has she been sent to save? Or is it Maia herself that needs saving? And just when she’s finally found what she’s been seeking . . . will time separate them forever?
Perfect for fans of Lucinda Riley, Santa Montefiore and Dinah Jefferies.
********
MY REVIEW:
Breathtaking, moving and unforgettable, Never Tear Us Apart is a truly special book that has stolen a piece of my heart forever. A dual timeslip novel, it follows war correspondent Maia Borg, who we first meet in 2025 when she is visiting Malta, the place her estranged father, David, was born. It is her first time here but Maia soon finds that she feels like she’s coming home. But one day while visiting a temple, Maia faints and wakes in an unfamiliar place. This place is dark, noisy and airless. And she quickly realises she is in a shelter while bombs fall around them. It is 1942 and Malta is under siege from the Nazis and their allies. At first she thinks it’s a dream or that her PTSD is giving her hallucinations. But over time, as she takes multiple trips between timelines, Maia starts to believe that her presence in both places is real. But why? What has she been sent back for? As she makes friends and begins to fall in love, Maia realises she has finally found a place she truly belongs. But just as that happens, something threatens to take it all away…
Rowan Coleman is an author whose books are on my autoread list and I’ve always had a soft spot for her historical fiction stories most of all. So I couldn’t wait to read this book. I had high hopes but was unprepared for the beauty of this book and the emotional rollercoaster I was about to embark on. This book really should come with a warning! Exquisitely written, cleverly choreographed and filled with vivacious characters, you can feel how much of Rowan’s heart and soul has been poured into this story. She made Malta come alive on these pages, transporting me to a place that has been on my bucket list for decades. I felt like I was taking every step and feeling every emotion alongside Maia. As a fan of history and historical fiction, I appreciated Rowan’s meticulous research and loved all of the history in this story. It was fascinating and I love how she allowed us to learn alongside Maia and experience her joy at understanding more about this country and her heritage. It has definitely made me even more eager to pay a visit and see these places for myself.
This book has a bit of everything: history, romance, drama, mystery and sci-fi, all merged together in perfect harmony to create a story I never wanted to end. I also didn’t want to leave these wonderful characters behind. I was so invested in their lives and was rooting for Maia at every step. I was on the edge of my seat, especially as we got to the final third of the book and the stakes got even higher. The sense of apprehension, urgency, tension and foreboding was palpable, leaping from the pages and setting my nerves on edge. I couldn’t have put this book down even if my house had been on fire.
A mesmerising story that demands to be read, I highly recommend this book.
Rating: ✮✮✮✮✮
********
ABOUT THE AUTHOR:
Rowan Coleman is the internationally bestselling and award winning author and screenwriter of sixteen novels including THE MEMORY BOOK, THE SUMMER OF IMPOSSIBLE THINGS and THE GIRL AT THE WINDOW.
A life long Bronte fan, under the Bronte inspired pen name Bella Ellis, Rowan also writes the Bronte Mysteries – a carefully researched series of novels that imagine that before they were were famous the Bronte Sisters were amateur detectives. THE VANISHED BRIDE and THE DIABOLICAL BONES and The RED MONARCH are out now.
Published October 23rd, 2025 by Simon & Schuster UK Romance Novel, Contemporary Romance, Romcom, Holiday Fiction, Festive Fiction
Welcome to my stop on the blog tour for this heartwarming festive read. Thank you to SJV and Books and the City for the invitation to take part and for sending me a copy of the book in exchange for my honest review.
********
ABOUT THE BOOK:
even people, four days and a snowy Christmas on board a luxury sleeper train. This festive season getting away from it all takes on a new meaning…
The Yorkshire Belle is a glamorous steam train all decked out for an escapist festive getaway. It is not supposed to be where a group of people, all trying to get to their destinations for the holidays, will spend their Christmas.
Seven people, each with their own hopes and dreams, secrets and sorrows, board the train as strangers, but as the snow keeps falling and they realise they are going nowhere fast, they are forced to slow down and embrace the present.
This Christmas on board the Yorkshire Belle, will the friendships they make change their lives forever?
********
MY REVIEW:
Seven strangers are stranded during a snowstorm and end up taking refuge on The Yorkshire Belle, a luxury steam train that had been prepped for the ultimate festive getaway. Unable to reach the nearest village – let alone their destinations – the group spend four days on board the train slowly forging bonds of friendship. But will any of them be the same people that stepped on board when the snow melts and they head back to reality?
A quintessential cosy Christmas read that hits all the right notes, this was a marvellous start to my festive reading. Like hot chocolate by the fire on a cold day, it warmed me from the inside out and gave me a warm glow. Told with Ms. Johnson’s signature warmth and wit, delightful characters and a hearty dash or peril, heartache and turmoil, it takes you on an emotional but uplifting journey. After all, this may be a Christmas tale, but it doesn’t mean that life comes up wrapped neatly in a bow. Life is dark, messy, chaotic, emotional and full of jagged edges and Milly balances these things with humour, warmth, love, hope and friendship.
The ‘trapped in a snowstorm’ trope has been done time and again, but this felt like an original take on a familiar trope that happens to also be one of my favourites. And it’s a stroke of genius. I loved this setting. It’s claustrophobic, precarious and turbulent, but also opulent, cosy, jovial and full of camaraderie. There is also a sense of nostalgia as their phones don’t work and they are cut off from the outside world apart from one radio station that keeps them updated on the storm.
One of the things I love most about Milly’s books is the characters she creates. They are always so relatable, real and recognisable, feeling like she’s plucked your neighbour from their house or someone from the street and put them in a book. These seven characters were some of my favourites she’s created. I loved that they were strangers when they first got on the train – with the exception of married couple Frank and Grace – that they forge strong bonds of friendship over the course of their claustrophobic few days together that last beyond their Christmas on The Yorkshire Belle. I loved this eclectic septet, especially Jane and Elizabeth. And I had a lot of empathy for Frank and Grace, especially as we learned more about them.
A heartfelt and uplifting story that gave me all the festive feels, I highly recommend this book.
Rating: ✮✮✮✮✰
********
ABOUT THE AUTHOR:
Milly Johnson was born, raised and still lives in Barnsley, South Yorkshire. She is the author of 23 novels, 4 short story ebooks, a book of poetry and a Quick Reads Novella (‘The Little Dreams of Lara Cliffe’) and was an erstwhile leading copywriter for the greetings card industry. She is also a poet, a professional joke-writer, a newspaper columnist and a seasoned after dinner speaker.
She won the RoNA for Best Romantic Comedy Novel of 2014 and 2016, the Yorkshire Society award for Arts and Culture 2015, the Romantic Novelist Association Outstanding Achievement award in 2020, the Goldsboro Books Contemporary Romantic Novel Award in 2021 and the Richard Whiteley Award for Inspiration to the County of Yorkshire in 2022.
She writes about love, life, friendships and the importance of community spirit. Her books champion women, their strength and resilience and celebrate her beloved Yorkshire.
Published October 23rd, 2025 by Orenda Books Mystery, Suspense, Humourous Fiction, Translated Fiction
Welcome to my review for this chaotic and comedic crime caper. Thank you to Anne at Random Things Tours for the invitation to take part an to Orenda Books for sending me a copy of the book in exchange for my honest review.
********
ABOUT THE BOOK:
A desperate father’s Christmas promise sparks a wild Finnish road trip involving an antique sofa, unexpected passengers and danger … A darkly humorous and warmly touching suspense novel about friendship, love and death, The Winter Job flies at 120 kilometres an hour straight into the darkest heart of a Finnish winter night.
Fargo meets Carl Hiassen and Fredrik Backman … via the Coen Brothers
____
Sofas, secrets and a snowbound road to trouble…
Helsinki, 1982. Recently divorced postal worker Ilmari Nieminen has promised his daughter a piano for Christmas, but with six days to go – and no money – he’s desperate.
A last-minute job offers a solution: transport a valuable antique sofa to Kilpisjärvi, the northernmost town in Finland.
With the sofa secured in the back of his van, Ilmari stops at a gas station, and an old friend turns up, offering to fix his faulty wipers, on the condition that he tags along. Soon after, a persistent Saab 96 appears in the rearview mirror. And then a bright-yellow Lada.
That’s when Ilmari realises that he is transporting something truly special.
And that’s when Ilmari realises he might be in serious trouble…
A darkly funny and unexpectedly moving thriller about friendship, love and death – The Winter Job tears through the frozen landscape of northern Finland in a beat-up van with bad steering, worse timing, and everything to lose…
********
MY REVIEW:
The king of the comedy crime caper has knocked it out of the park once again with this atmospheric, quirky, witty and addictive that’s as dark and forbidding as the Finnish winter.
Helsinki, 1982. Postal worker Ilmari Nieminen is down on his luck. But when his twelve-year-old daughter tells him she wants a piano, he vows to get it for her for Christmas. As the deadline approaches, Ilmari’s financial woes continue so he accepts a job transporting an antique sofa that is at the centre of a family dispute. But he soon realises that this job isn’t all it seems. Shortly after bumping into an old school friend who helps fix his wipers, Ilmari notices that two cars are pursuing him and seem eager to get their hands on the sofa, too. But why? Whoever heard of armed robbing a sofa? The friends take a closer look at the sofa and are shocked at what they found. This is no ordinary sofa and Ilmari realises he could be in trouble. What follows is a cat-and-mouse chase across the country in a snowstorm that leaves us wondering if Ilmari will be able to deliver his cargo and keep his promise to his daughter.
Antti Tuomainen is an author who never misses. This is my fifth time reading one of his books and I’ve loved every minute of reading them. Full of dark humour, sinister deeds and memorable characters, Tuomainen knows how to hold his reader in his thrall, keeping them guessing and on the edge of their seat right to the very last page. And he does just that with his latest offering, The Winter Job, a high-speed chase across snowy Finland to take possession of a sofa that also explores themes of love, death, loneliness, trust and friendship. It’s chaotic, cryptic, unorthodox, unpredictable, suspenseful, and bloody brilliant. And it more than lives up to Tuomainen’s reputation for original, madcap stories that work thanks to his accomplished storytelling, witty observations and adventure-filled storylines interwoven with a sense of danger. That sense of peril and danger is elevated in this book by the dark and snowy landscape as it creates greater obstacles for the characters to overcome. And don’t get me started on his red herrings. Antti, you totally had me going there more than once!
The book is filled with a motley crew of characters who are unique and unforgettable. Some of them likeable, others detestable, but they are all a delight to read and add something essential to the story. These are flawed people who are dealing with varying issues, trying to survive and do what is right to them. Ilmari was a great protagonist who was likeable, easy to root for, and I enjoyed watching him rediscover a friendship with Antero. Meanwhile the villains were easy to dislike but fun to read, especially Otto. He was one crazy psycho! Someone I’d hate to meet in real life but love reading in a book.
Wildly entertaining, surprising and compelling, this book is perfect for thriller fans who are looking for something a bit different. Highly recommended.
Rating: ✮✮✮✮
********
ABOUT THE AUTHOR:
Finnish Antti Tuomainen was an award-winning copywriter when we made his literary debut in 2007 as a suspense author. In 2011, Tuomainen’s third novel, The Healer, was awarded the Clue Award for Best Finnish Crime Novel and was shortlisted for the Glass Key Award. In 2013, the Finnish press crowned Tuomainen the ‘King of Helsinki Noir’ when Dark as My Heart was published. With a piercing and evocative style, Tuomainen was one of the first to challenge the Scandinavian crime-genre formula,and his poignant, dark and hilarious The Man Who Died became an international bestseller, shortlisting for the Petrona and Last Laugh Awards. Palm Beach, Finland (2018) was an immense success, with The Times calling Tuomainen ‘the funniest writer in Europe’, and Little Siberia (2019) was shortlisted for the Capital Crime/Amazon Publishing Readers Awards, the Last Laugh Award and the CWA International Dagger, and won the Petrona Award for Best Scandinavian Crime Novel. The Rabbit Factor, the prequel to The Moose Paradox, will soon be a major motion picture starring Steve Carell for Amazon Studios.
David Hackston is a British translator of Finnish and Swedish literature and drama. Notable publications include The Dedalus Book of Finnish Fantasy, Maria Peura’s coming-of-age novel At the Edge of Light, Johanna Sinisalo’s eco-thriller Birdbrain, two crime novels by Matti Joensuu and Kati Hiekkapelto’s Anna Fekete series (which currently includes The Hummingbird, The Defenceless and The Exiled, all published by Orenda Books). He also translates Antti Tuomainen’s stories. In 2007 he was awarded the Finnish State Prize for Translation. David is also a professional countertenor and a founding member of the English Vocal Consort of Helsinki.
Published October 23rd, 2025 by Orenda Books Mystery, Thriller, Suspense, Crime Fiction, Police Procedural, Translated Ficiton, Icelandic Noir
Today is my stop on the blog tour for the dark and sinister Snowblind. Thank you to Anne at Random Things Tours for the invitation to take part and to Orenda for sending me a copy of the book in exchange for my honest review.
********
ABOUT THE BOOK:
The seminal, multi-million-copy Icelandic bestseller, Snowblind, celebrates its tenth anniversary, including a never-before-published Ari Thór prequel, Fadeout.
**Introduction by Anthony Horowitz***
The blizzard returns…
‘A modern Icelandic take on an Agatha Christie-style mystery, as twisty as any slalom…’ Ian Rankin
‘Ragnar Jónasson writes with a chilling, poetic beauty’ Peter James
‘Seductive … Ragnar does claustrophobia beautifully’ Ann Cleeves
‘A classic crime story seen through a uniquely Icelandic lens. First rate and highly recommended’ Lee Child
***More than 5 million copies sold worldwide***
_____
Snowblind
Siglufjörður: an idyllically quiet fishing village in Northern Iceland, where no one locks their doors – accessible only via a small mountain tunnel. Ari Thór Arason: a rookie policeman on his first posting, far from his girlfriend in Reykjavik – with a past that he’s unable to leave behind. When a young woman is found lying half-naked in the snow, bleeding and unconscious, and a highly esteemed, elderly writer falls to his death in the local theatre, Ari is dragged straight into the heart of a community where he can trust no one, and secrets and lies are a way of life.
An avalanche and unremitting snowstorms close the mountain pass, and the 24-hour darkness threatens to push Ari over the edge, as curtains begin to twitch, and his investigation becomes increasingly complex, chilling and personal. Past plays tag with the present and the claustrophobic tension mounts, while Ari is thrust ever deeper into his own darkness – blinded by snow, and with a killer on the loose.
Taut and terrifying, Snowblind is a startling debut from an extraordinary new talent, taking Nordic Noir to soaring new heights.
********
MY REVIEW:
“The red stain was like a scream in the silence.”
With an opening line so chilling and having had this book and the entire series recommended to me many times, I knew I was in for a treat when I started this book. And it didn’t disappoint.
Rookie policeman Ari Thor Arason moves to Siglufjörður, a quiet and idyllic fishing village in Northern Iceland to begin his career. This is a place where everybody knows everybody and nobody bothers to lock their doors as it’s so safe. Suddenly, Arit Thor finds himself thrust into two major investigations when a famous, elderly writer falls to his death in the theatre and a young woman is found half naked and unconscious, bleeding in the snow like a macabre snow angel. And as the snowstorm rages outside, the investigation deepens, secrets and lies from the past haunt the present, things get personal for Ari Thor and he faces a race against the clock to get to the truth.
Sinister, dark, atmospheric and twisty, Snowblind is a bingeable thriller that had me hooked from start to finish, inhaling it in just two sittings. I finally get the hype for Ragnar Jonasson and his Dark Iceland series and am excited to read the rest of the series after enjoying this one so much. Expertly written, tightly plotted, fast-paced and full of evocative imagery Jonasson creates a menacing and forbidding tone from the first line and keeps you in his thrall until the heart-stopping conclusion.
The scene setting is a huge part of this book’s atmosphere. Siglufjörður is a small, isolated village with a close-knit community. Everybody knows everybody and they all know each other’s secrets and history. Ari Thor is the newcomer, isn’t exactly met with open arms and we see how hard it can be to integrate into a tight-knit community. It adds to the claustrophobic and isolated vibes, making the stakes feel even higher for Ari Thor.
And speaking of Ari Thor, a good series needs a great protagonist, and Jonasson delivers that with Ari Thor. Likeable, relatable and flawed, he is easy to root for and has a compelling backstory that makes you want to know more about him. I was fortunate to have the prequel, Fadeout, to read as part of the 10th anniversary edition of this book, and I loved knowing more about who Ari Thor is before starting to read Snowblind. The background characters are equally compelling and it felt like everyone was a suspect, which I loved because it kept me guessing right up until the big reveal.
So if you’re looking for a dark and sinister thriller you can really sink your teeth into, Snowblind is the book for you!Rating: ✮✮✮✮✰
********
ABOUT THE AUTHOR:
Icelandic crime writer Ragnar Jónasson was born in Reykjavík, and currently works asa lawyer, while teacher copyright law at the Reykjavík University Law School. In the past, he’s worked in TV and radio, including as a news reporter for the Icelandic National Broadcasting Service. Before embarking on a writing career, Ragnar translated fourteen Agatha Christie novels into Icelandic, and has had several short stories published in German, English and Icelandic literary magazines. Ragnar set up the first overseas chapter of the CWA (Crime Writers’ Association) in Reykjavík, and is co-founder of the International crime-writing festival Iceland Noir. Ragnar’s debut thriller, Snowblind became an almost instant bestseller when it was published in June 2015 with Nightblind (winner of the Dead Good Reads Most Captivating Crime in Translation Award) and then Blackout, Rupture and Whiteout following soon after. To date, Ragnar Jónasson has written five novels in the Dark Iceland series, which has been optioned for TV by On the Corner. He lives in Reykjavík with his wife and two daughters.
Larissa Kyzer is an Icelandic to English literary translator, writer, and editorial professional.
Currently based in Brooklyn, New York, she lived in Reykjavík for five years after receiving a Fulbright grant in 2012. She holds a BA in Comparative Literature, an MS in Library and Information Science, and an MA in Translation Studies, which she earned at the University of Iceland.
Her translations include children’s books and chapter books for young readers, short stories, poetry, essays, plays, nonfiction, and novels, most notably Fríða Ísberg’s The Mark, which has been longlisted for the 2025 Dublin Literary Award, and Kristín Eiríksdóttir’s Nordic Council Literature Prize-nominated A Fist or a Heart, which was named one of Library Journal’s 10 Best World Literature titles in 2019. Larissa was awarded the American-Scandinavian Foundation’s Nadia Christensen Translation Prize for her translation of this remarkable work.
In addition to receiving grant funding and support from the National Endowment for the Arts, European Union Prize for Literature, the Fulbright Commission, the Icelandic Ministry of Education and Culture, the Icelandic Literature Center, and Finland’s Kone Foundation, Larissa was Princeton University’s Fall 2019 Translator in Residence and has since taught translation workshops to undergraduate and graduate students at Princeton and New York University. She’s a member of Ós, an Iceland-based international and literary collective, an at-large board member for the American Literary Translators Association, an organizer on the National Writers Union’s Translator Organizing Committee, and a former co-chair of PEN America’s Translation Committee. In her spare time, Larissa runs Jill!, a virtual Women+ in Translation reading series that spotlights women, trans and/or nonbinary translators and authors.
Published January 30th, 2025 by W&N Gothic Fiction, Horror Fiction, Fairy Tale, Coming-of-Age Fiction, Gay Fiction
Welcome to my review of this deliciously dark gothic horror.
********
ABOUT THE BOOK:
A FOLK TALE. A HORROR STORY. A LOVE STORY. AN ENCHANTMENT.
Margot and Mama have lived by the forest since Margot can remember. When Margot isn’t at school, they spend quiet days together in their cottage, waiting for strangers to knock on their door. Strays, Mama calls them. Mama loves the strays. She feeds them wine, keeps them warm. Then she satisfies her burning appetite by picking apart their bodies.
But Mama’s want is stronger than her hunger sometimes, and when a white-toothed stray named Eden turns up in the heart of a snowstorm, little Margot must confront the shifting dynamics of her family, untangle her own desires and make a bid for freedom.
With this tender coming-of-age tale, debut novelist Lucy Rose explores how women swallow their anger, desire and animal instincts – and wrings the relationship between mother and daughter until blood drips from it.
********
MY REVIEW:
“On my fourth birthday, I plucked six severed fingers from the shower drain.”
And with that nightmarish opening, The Lamb sets the tone for what’s about to come. Deliciously dark, fearsome, murderous and unsettling, this hypnotic gothic horror is a debut you won’t forget.
Margot lives with her Mama in a secluded cottage by the forest. They live off the land and take in strangers who knock at their door looking for help. Mama calls them ‘strays’ and offers them assistance, wine, food and warmth. After all, they need to be happy to taste good…
It’s an isolated life full of rules set by her domineering mother. But things change when a stray named Eden knocks on the door. Unlike the others Eden is charismatic and enchanting and Mama’s desire proves stronger than her hunger. Eden is allowed to live and stay with them at the cottage. As Margot tries to adjust to the new dynamics at home, she is also grappling with changes within herself as she develops her first crush, begins to question the things that Mama has taught her, and struggles with the weight of their deadly secrets.
What a phenomenal debut! Atmospheric, sinister and savage but also tender and deeply felt, this unforgettable story gets under your skin. Lucy Rose showcases herself as a talent to be watched with this disturbing folkloric tale that feels like a modern Grimms’ fairytale. Blood drips from every word as with poetic, evocative and beguiling prose Rose pulls you deep inside Margot’s grim world. It is both deeply human and monstrously inhuman, exploring themes of motherhood, dysfunctional family dynamics, female rage, desire, control, trauma, morality and empowerment alongside grisly scenes of murder and cannibalism.
The characters are richly drawn, relatable and real, and Margot is a powerful narrator. A young girl on the cusp of womanhood, she has known nothing but the bleak and horrifying existence her mother has forced her to live. A life full of loneliness, fear and secrets. My heart broke for her. I wanted to jump into the book and rescue her from that life and show her happiness and joy. Mama is a truly terrifying character. In some ways she feels pathetic, benign and unassuming. But we know she’s a cruel woman capable of brutal things who terrorises her daughter. And Eden is no better. When she arrived I initially had hope that she might rescue Margot, though I really should have known better than to expect a happy ending. After all, this fairytale is Grimm not Disney.
Menacing, depraved, unnerving and original, this is an absolute must read and one of my top books this year.
Rating: ✮✮✮✮✮
********
ABOUT THE AUTHOR:
Cumbrian dwelling in the North East. Writer of folktales and fables.
Lucy Rose’s fiction and non-fiction have been published by Dread Central, Mslexia, The Observer, The Nerd Daily and more, and her films have visited BAFTA- and Oscar-qualifying film festivals internationally. She is also a Forbes 30 Under 30 Europe class of 2025.
Lucy’s Sunday Times Bestselling debut novel, The Lamb, is published by Weidenfeld & Nicolson in the UK and HarperCollins in the US. Lucy lives on the north-east coast of England with her black cat, Figgy, and is currently working on her next story.
Published September 25th, 2025 by Simon & Schuster UK Historical Fiction, Suspense, Thriller
Welcome to my stop on the blog tour for this intricately intweroven historical mystery. Thank you to Anne at Random Things Tours for the invitation to take part, and to Simon & Schuster UK for sending me a copy of the book in exchange for my honest review.
********
ABOUT THE BOOK:
A story about stories within stories, as four interconnected mysteries take the reader through the ages, from Shakespeare’s day to a 19th-century Gothic former Priory, to 1920s Venice, and finally to 1940s California, from the internationally bestselling author of The Turnglass.
We begin with the last testament of William Shakespeare as he investigates the real-life murder mystery of his friend, playwright Christopher Marlowe.
The second story is a 19th-century Gothic tale about the discovery of Shakespeare’s manuscript, set in an isolated former Priory, now a clinic for those who cannot sleep.
The third is a lighter Golden Age detective tale set in Venice, where private investigator Honora Feldman looks into a baffling case of theft and murder in the British expat community, with the Gothic story at its heart.
And finally, a 1940s American Noir, as Ken Kourian finds that a serial killer is recreating all the murders in The Waterfall, the companion book to his friend Oliver Tooke’s The Turnglass.
The Waterfall is a beguiling and intricate mystery that cements Gareth Rubin’s position as one of the most original authors writing today.
********
MY REVIEW:
Darkly atmospheric, intricate and compelling, The Waterfall is a book about stories within stories that transports us from Shakespere’s Stratford to a 19th century Gothic former priory, to 1920s Venice, and then 1940s California in four interconnected mysteries.
Original, immersive and layered, this captivating story is a unique experience. Beautifully written, cleverly choreographed and rich in historic detail, Gareth Rubin showcases himself as a masterful storyteller with a style that is all his own. From the first pages I felt like I’d stepped back in time, Rubin bringing each era to life with his skillful use of language, vivid imagery and richly drawn characters. I’ll admit, it took me a little time to get used to the language used in the first story, but once I did I was completely lost in the narrative.
I love reading books that merge fact with fiction, so the fact that the first story featured real people and a real murder piqued my interest straight away. Rubin’s reimagining of that mystery and the way that he connected it with the four other stories is nothing short of genius. I loved the concept of four interconnected stories but after reading this first one I couldn’t imagine how he could connect this 16th century murder to the other three timelines but Rubin pulls it off with finesse, expertly interweaving them together to create a story that moves between timelines and narrators. It is so well done that there were times I had to remind myself that the other characters weren’t real people and I was reading a work of fiction, not fact. All of the characters were richly drawn, dynamic and compelling, but my favourite was Pips and I wish there’d been more of her.
There is so much more I’d love to say about this book but that would mean spoilers and I don’t do those! So, I’ll just say that if you’re looking for a well-written historical mystery with a difference, then this is the book for you.
Rating: ✮✮✮✮✰
********
ABOUT THE AUTHOR:
Gareth Rubin writes about social affairs, travel and the arts for British newspapers. In 2013 he directed a documentary about therapeutic art at the Bethlem Royal Hospital in London (‘Bedlam’). His books include Liberation Square, set in Soviet-occupied London; The Winter Agent, about British agents in Paris on the eve of D-Day and The Turnglass, two entwined mysteries that take place in Essex in 1881 and Los Angeles in 1939. He read English literature at the University of St Andrews and trained at East 15 Acting School.
Published September 25th, 2025 by Aria Magical Realism, Domestic Fiction, Coming-of-Age Story
Welcome to my review of this cosy and charming story. Thank you to Aria for sending me a copy of the book in exchange for my honest review.
********
ABOUT THE BOOK:
Welcome to the Time Hop Coffee Shop, where wishes can come true . . .
Greta Perks was once the shining star of the iconic Maple Gold coffee commercials, the quintessential TV wife and mom. Now, fame has faded, her marriage is on the rocks, her teenage daughter has become distant, and Greta’s once-glittering career feels like a distant memory.
So when Greta stumbles upon a mysterious coffee shop, serving a magical brew, she wishes for the perfect life in those past Maple Gold commercials. Next thing she knows, Greta wakes in the idyllic, make-believe town of Mapleville, where the sun always shines and the aroma of freshly brewed coffee and second chances fill the air. Given the opportunity to live the life she dreamed, Greta is determined to rewrite her own script. But can life ever be like a coffee commercial? And what will happen when Greta has to choose – between perfection and real life, with no turning back?
********
MY REVIEW:
Greta Perks was once the star of the iconic Maple Gold coffee commercials with her husband Jim and daughter, Lottie. But now her marriage is on the rocks, her teenage daughter who is becoming more distant by the day and a career in freefall, Greta finds herself daydreaming wistfully of the time her life was perfect and longing for the past. Then one day, she comes across a mysterious coffee shop that advertises your ‘perfect blend’ and is offered the chance to drink a magical brew that will make her wishes come true. The next thing she knows, Greta finds herself in Mapleville, the perfect fictional town from the coffee commercials, and is charmed by its friendly faces, shiny smiles and eternal optimism. When she returns to real life, Greta struggles to adjust and can only think of when she can next visit Mapleville. But as she begins to notice cracks in Mapleville’s perfect facade, Greta starts to wonder if life can really be as perfect as a coffee commercial? And if offered the chance to stay there forever, would Greta leave her real life behind for a second chance at perfection?
Like a hot cup of coffee on a cold autumn day, The Time Hop Coffee shop is a charming, cosy and uplifting story that warms you from the inside out. Phaedra Patrick has long been one of my favourite authors of uplifting fiction, so when the Squadpod were offered the chance to read her latest book I didn’t hesitate. And in a change from her other stories, this time Phaedra has added a dash of magical realism, giving a whimsical, Alice in Wonderland-style vibe to this delightful story of love, yearning, self-discovery and hope.
The characters in this book are relatable and real, with Greta being a protagonist who felt easy to root for. I think we’ve all had times in life where we long for happier times or when we wonder when our life went wrong. At those times, the allure of perfection and the chance to rewrite the narrative of our lives would be strong. Other characters I really enjoyed reading were Iris, the cantankerous coffee shop owner, and Millie, the friend Greta makes in Mapleville who had a fascinating arc.
A feel-good story full of heart, this is the perfect book to read while snuggled up under a blanket on an autumn day. Preferably whilst drinking a hot cup of coffee.
Rating: ✮✮✮✮✰
********
ABOUT THE AUTHOR:
From Amazon: I’ve always wanted to write books but came to it the long way around. I originally studied art and marketing and then worked as a stained glass artist, film festival organiser and communications manager. I won several awards for my short stories and have now written six novels, four of which became USA Today bestsellers. I live with my family in Saddleworth, UK, where I write full time.
My debut novel, The Curious Charms of Arthur Pepper, was translated into twenty five languages worldwide and was optioned by a major Hollywood film studio.
My second novel, Rise and Shine, Benedict Stone (named Wishes Under the Willow Tree in the UK), was made into a Hallmark movie in 2021.
My third novel, inspired by my love of stories, is The Library of Lost and Found. It was selected as ’The Great North West Read,’ to be read across 300 libraries in the UK in 2019.
My fourth is titled The Secrets of Love Story Bridge (The Secrets of Sunshine in the UK) and my fifth, The Messy Lives of Book People (titled The Book Share in the UK) was the Barnes & Noble fiction pick for June 2022 in the USA.
I hope you enjoy my sixth novel, The Little Italian Hotel, a warm, uplifting escape about the power of love, friendship and following your dreams.
October is almost here. It’s time for reading under fuzzy blanets, drinking hot chocolate and eating parkin. It’s also time for my list of most anticipated October releases. One of the books I’m excited for is my most anticipated book of the year:House of Splinters by L aura Purcell. I can not wait to finally read this book!
Here are the xx books out in October that I’m most anticipating:
Medlock by S. G. Hartnell
Published October 2nd by Viper Gothic Fiction, Thriller, Suspense, Horror Fiction
BOOK DESCRIPTION: ‘Macabre and frightening’ PAULA HAWKINS ‘Twisted, exhilarating and very, very creepy’ LOUISE CANDLISH ‘Will keep you reading well into the night and awake well beyond that’ CATHERINE COOPER
1978. Mrs. Medlock is the dutiful housekeeper at Marwood Manor. One of the few remaining staff, she protects a dying aristocratic order, serving the Lord and Lady and caring for their sickly young son.
For over the past twenty years, Mrs. Medlock has become the keeper of secrets. Secrets of the family. Secrets of her own. Secrets that may be found in the manor’s walled garden, out of sight but not forgotten.
When a distant relative, Mary, arrives at the property in need of a place to live and with a determination to explore, Mrs. Medlock fears the secrets of Marwood are no longer safe. And digging up the past may have deadly consequences for them all . . .
Published October 2nd by Viper Thriller, Mystery, Suspense, Psychological Thriller
BOOK DESCRIPTION: One girl escaped. But the forest took another…
A young girl wanders into the small town of Koraha, her hands stained with blood. She won’t speak, but her path is tracked through New Zealand’s unforgiving wilderness to a cabin – and the scene of a double murder.
The townsfolk know this cabin; it has a violent history. Twenty years ago, another girl was forced to flee, leaving her siblings and father behind. But now that her family’s secrets have led to more victims, Effie has no choice but to return to the bush and face the truth of what happened there… and why she ran.
Flooded with atmosphere and full of twists, The Vanishing Place is perfect for readers of Lucy Clarke and Sarah Pearse.
Published October 2nd by Harvill Secker Literary Fiction, Translated Fiction
BOOK DESCRIPTION: In a peaceful village in the countryside, far from the bustling heart of Seoul, lies a book lovers’ paradise. With its wafts of delicious food and book-filled shelves, Soyangri Book Kitchen is managed by its plucky proprietor Yoojin. Her aim? To create a sanctuary for weary souls like herself.
But the book kitchen is more than just a place to eat or read – it’s a place which offers its guests a true escape, not just inside the pages of its many books, but in the warm embrace of an overnight bookstay.
Over one year, seven people at a crossroads in their lives find their way to Yoojin’s book kitchen. Among them are Da-in, a singer grappling with an identity crisis, Sohee, a promising lawyer confronted with a daunting medical diagnosis, and Soohyuk, a young musical director whose dreams have been stifled.
As they arrive in Soyangri, each of them will find their life subtly transformed by the magic of its books and the kindness of its people.
Published October 7th by Gollancz Fairy Tale, Fantasy Fiction, Contemporary Fantasy, Thriller
BOOK DESCRIPTION: YOU’RE HERE BECAUSE OF A STORY . . .
It starts with a class in an old movie theatre. Folklore 517: Local Legends and Urban Myths, taught by a woman called the Professor.
Most students believe the Professor’s stories are just fiction, but Holland St. James has always been convinced that magic is real.
Her search for the truth leads her to a dazzling new world, a deadly ultimatum hidden at the heart of Los Angeles, and into the path of a magnetic stranger who claims he’s been sent to save her life.
But everyone in this intoxicating new world is lying to her, even this stranger. And if she can’t figure out whom to trust, her magical reality could change from a Hollywood dream to a nightmare.
Alchemy of Secrets is the spectacular new novel from global phenomenon Stephanie Garber, the multimillion-copy bestselling author of the Caraval and Once Upon a Broken Heart series. Fusing spellbinding Hollywood secrets with a cinematic mystery, it will transport you into another world.
Published October 7th by HQ Magical Realism, Domestic Fiction, Contemporary Romance
BOOK DESCRIPTION: The Midnight Library meets Ashley Poston, in an emotional, heartwarming debut romantic novel, where an engaged couple stumble upon a magical movie theatre that plays formative memories from their lives, showing secrets they both have been keeping from each other.
……….
What if the love of your life could watch the story of your past?
At the end of a fog-covered alley, glitters a glamorous cinema. It’s nearly impossible to find. When Ellie and her fiancé, Drake, stumble upon it during a late-night walk, they’re shocked to discover what’s playing inside the red-velvet auditorium: their formative memories.
Drake fears what the cinema might reveal, but eventually gives in when Ellie insists they return for more viewings. She’s haunted by a night from her past that she doesn’t fully remember. This is her opportunity to piece the story back together. But as the memories displayed on screen inch closer to the present, they realize they’re both keeping secrets from each other.
With their wedding on the horizon, Ellie and Drake must decide if seeing their pasts changes their plans for a future together.
Filled with warmth, hope, and a dash of magic, The Second Chance Cinema is both an enchanting escape and a thought-provoking examination of how our memories shape who we are.
Published October 7th by Harper Collins UK Historical Fiction, Biographical Fiction, Political Ficiton
BOOK DESCRIPTION: She survives four queens. Will she fall to a tyrant?
Jane Boleyn watches from the shadows of the Tudor court. Where nothing is more powerful than a secret – or more deadly.
As the Boleyns rise, Jane rises with them. But the king’s love is a fickle thing. And when the royal gaze turns elsewhere, Jane uses the only weapon she has: her voice.
To survive in this dazzling, dangerous world she has mastered many masks: loving wife, devoted sister, and obedient spy. Now she must step out of the shadows.
She might outlive her rivals. She might know the court’s darkest secrets. But power rests on the edge of a tyrant king’s sword. Where will it fall next?
Philippa Gregory brings the Boleyn traitor into the light in an explosive story of one woman’s survival in the treacherous heart of the Tudor court.
Published October 7th by HQ Romantic Fantasy, Romance Novel, Fantasy Fiction, Paranormal Romance, Adventure Fiction, New Adult Ficiton
BOOK DESCRIPTION: Old Magic. New power. A contest to die for.
****************************
Sophia DeWinter has been bound to her cruel uncle, the Collector since he exacted a blood bond from her as a child. When she learns of Killmarth, an elite academy for magic wielders outside of the Collector’s control, she grabs it as her only chance to break free.
Each hopeful must prove their worth by competing in brutal and deadly challenges – the Ordeals. And that’s just the beginning, because hopefuls are also being viciously picked off one-by-one. To survive, Sophia could team up with another challenger. Perhaps the powerful wielder Alden Locke. But how to identify an ally from a rival? Or even a murderer?
In her haste to escape the Collector’s power over her, has Sophia risked everything only to run from the flames and into the fire?
Published October 7th by Allison & Busby Gothic Fiction, Thriller, Historical Fiction, Horror Fiction
BOOK DESCRIPTION: 1953. Mei’s ‘gift’ of speaking to ghosts is one that she has endeavoured to bury while fighting to survive as a refugee in post-war, post-revolution Hong Kong. When former silent film star Holly Zhang invites Mei to the infamous Maidenhair House, the startling summons revives her link to the man who destroyed her life. During six séances over six nights, each night a medium will be asked to leave until only one remains as the recipient of a staggering reward, but the only prize Mei wants is revenge.
Years later, that shocking night in the labyrinthine mansion has become an urban legend, dismissed by the police at the time as a collective hallucination. Mei must uncover the truth of what really happened and see if the ghosts she has carried can finally be laid to rest.
Published October 9th by Raven Gothic Fiction, Historical Fiction, Mystery, Suspense, Horror Fiction, Ghost Story
BOOK DESCRIPTION: Not every house is a home…
Belinda Bainbridge has spent her life in the shadow of her anxious mother, so when her father-in-law dies at The Bridge, his remote ancestral seat, she is secretly thrilled. His death means she, her husband Wilfred and their children can relocate and finally begin to create their own happy home together: born a merchant’s daughter, she will now be lady of the manor.
But their new home quickly proves far from ideal. The garden is a wilderness, the estate is struggling financially, there are whispers about the mysterious death of a servant many years before while their young son, Freddy, seems unusually fixated on the strange wooden figures – so-called ‘silent companions’ – that were once owned by his ancestors.
When Wilfred’s charismatic brother, Nathan, arrives unexpectedly from abroad, bringing a very different account of the family’s past, Belinda begins to question what her husband has told her. What really lies behind the sad history of the house?
And are Belinda’s children truly safe here?
The outstanding new haunted house story from Sunday Times bestseller and multi award winner, Laura Purcell, who is credited for reigniting readers’ passion for classic gothic tales for a new audience.
Published October 9th by Harper Fiction Historical Fiction, Thriller, Horror Fiction, Supernatural Fiction
BOOK DESCRIPTION: Will she be damned by flame… or cursed by magic?
Innsbruck 1485
Helena should be doing what every other wealthy young wife is doing: keeping her husband’s house, bearing his children. But when their footman is found dead, Helena is accused of killing him. Worse, she is accused of being a witch.
Imprisoned with six other women, Helena is plunged into a world of terror. When a cursed witch totem is smuggled into the prison, the prisoners attempt to use it to escape only to unleash a malevolent spirit which places all their lives in danger.
Does Helena risk her life and the lives of others by standing up to the terrifying witchfinder and risk death at the stake if found guilty? Or is the real threat the world beyond this one…?
Published October 9th by Sphere Gothic Ficiton, Historical Ficiton, Horror Ficiton
BOOK DESCRIPTION: Obsession is a sickness For which there is no cure.
Suffolk, 1847. Charles Keller needs to escape London, so he leaps when he is offered a position as surgeon at a country infirmary for the poor. But St Cross is not as he expected, and he soon finds himself reflecting on a promise he once made. A promise to do no harm.
Some promises are made to be broken.
Suffolk, 2023. Liam has brought his family to an old country house for a holiday, a former infirmary called St Cross. He can’t tell them why they are really here, but he hopes that, after this, he can start again. No more lies, no more secrets. But what Liam doesn’t know is that the house is keeping secrets of its own.
And some secrets are so dark, they should never be brought to light.
Published October 9th by Harper Collins UK Ronance Novel, Contemporary Romance, Domestic Fiction, Holiday Fiction, Festive Fiction
BOOK DESCRIPTION: Is a fake boyfriend really just for Christmas?
One fake romance. One magical Christmas. One chance to fall in love.
Laura was all set for a quiet solo Christmas – just her, a bottle of wine, and flat-sitting for a stranger. But when the stranger’s parents mistake her for his mystery girlfriend, she’s swept off to the snowy Scottish Highlands with Callum and his whole family.
Between the cosy sleeper train, charming pubs and breathtaking views, this could be the no-strings-attached Christmas of Laura’s dreams.
But stranger Callum is hot, hilarious and their ‘fake’ chemistry is off the charts.
So is this just a Christmas fling? Or the start of something more?
Published October 9th by Hodder & Stoughton Romance Novel, Holiday Fiction, Festive Fiction
BOOK DESCRIPTION: After Mirren Sutherland finds a priceless antique book in her great aunt’s attic, she is contacted by Jamie McPherson, who is hopeful she might be able to find another one- a book lost in his own house. He doesn’t even know the name of it, only that it is so valuable it could potentially save the entire estate from ruin, and time is running out.
On arriving at Jamie’s vast crumbling home in the highlands of Scotland (on the family train, no less), Mirren meets rival bookseller Theo Palliser, whose motives are not remotely honourable; and sets out on the quest.
Jamie’s grandfather was a book collector, a philanthropist, a hoarder and a great lover of puzzles and treasure hunts – as the snow falls in the highlands, cutting off the outside world, the three of them, plus Maggie, the estate manager, do their best to uncover the last hope of the MacPherson clan before the year ends: following clues, discovering the secrets of the house and forming and breaking alliances in a race against time and the weather.
Caught between devastatingly attractive and immoral Theo, and the distracted and worried Jamie, will Mirren find the book … and lose her heart?
Published October 9th by Zaffre Contemporary Romance
BOOK DESCRIPTION: Ingrid Dahl is a cheerful, twenty-nine-year-old librarian living in the cosy mountain town of Ridgetop. She and her boyfriend since college, Cory, have never discussed marriage; they’re perfectly happy with the way things are. But when Ingrid’s sister announces her engagement to a woman she’s only been dating for two years, Ingrid and Cory suddenly feel pressured to start thinking about the inevitable: marriage and kids.
The thing is, neither of them has ever been with anyone else. Shouldn’t they sow their oats before settling down?
They make the unorthodox decision to separate for a month to date other people, assuming that at the end of it, they’ll reunite and start planning their nuptials. And Ingrid has the perfect man in mind for this relationship sabbatical–Macon Nowakowski, her cantankerous and completely adorable coworker for whom she’s had a crush for years.
But of course the best laid plans often go awry, and when Ingrid and Cory meet at the end of the month to resume next steps in their relationship, it’s clear neither of them is ready to get back together…
Published Octobter 16th by Bantam Mystery, Thriller, Cozy Mystery, Police Procedural, Humorous Ficiton
BOOK DESCRIPTION: As the snow falls, the haunting begins… Get ready for the most gripping cosy murder mystery debut of the year.
‘A delightfully engaging debut, starring one of the most amusing and unusual sleuths I’ve come across. Best enjoyed with a nice glass of sherry!’ Tess Gerritsen
A grand country estate. On her last day as a Detective, Midge McGowan is given the retirement present from hell: a ticket to take part in a haunted house tour. She’ll have to spend the weekend before Christmas ghost-hunting in an isolated mansion with a group of misfits, including a know-it-all paranormal investigator and a has-been pop star.
An impossible crime. It isn’t long before the tour starts to spiral out of control. Midge and the guests see an unsettling figure walking the grounds late at night. Then the unthinkable happens – someone is murdered in a room that’s been locked from the inside.
A Christmas they might not survive. Heavy snow cuts them off from help, the house’s own dark secrets begin to surface, and Midge can’t shake the creeping sense that they are walking into a nightmare. Could a ghost really be responsible, or is the culprit one of the guests?
Published October 16th by Tor Romance Novel, Fantasy Fiction, Romantic Fantasy, Dystopian Fiction
BOOK DESCRIPTION: One man could offer her the world. The other will help her destroy it . . .
Born to an Elite family, Emeline has been marked as different from birth and by a society that judges all its citizens on their ability to conform.
Emeline only has one role open to her: to become a mother. Offered a pro-creation contract with Collin, a member of the Illum – the governing body of the Elite – Emeline finds herself increasingly torn between her growing complicated feelings for her proposed mate, and another man who lives on the margins of their society who challenges her ideals.
When the marginalized rise up in rebellion, Emeline begins to question everything she has ever believed in.
Best Wishes from the Full Moon Coffee Shop by Mai Mochizuki
Published October 16th by Brazen Fairy Tale, Magical Realism, Holiday Fiction, Festive Ficiton, Translated Fiction
BOOK DESCRIPTION: Welcome back to the Full Moon Coffee Shop. What do you really want this Christmas?
At the Full Moon Coffee Shop, we don’t take your order. Instead, we bring you desserts and drinks – selected just for you.
In Japanese myth, cats are symbols of good luck. If you are kind to them, they’ll return the favour one day. And if you are kind to the right cat, you might find yourself invited to a celestial café. The Full Moon Coffee Shop normally materialises on the night of the full moon – with one exception every year. This Christmas, the sagacious cats open their doors once more to all lost souls in need of a guiding light.
The season’s first customer, Satomi, catches wind of her boyfriend’s plan to propose on Christmas Eve, and feels torn between love and success. Her disaffected intern, Koyuki, has her own reasons for dreading the day, ever since her father died in a car accident. And Junko’s estranged father has fallen gravely ill, driving her to visit home after decades away.
In this festive follow-up to the cosy classic, the customers of the Full Moon Coffee Shop stand at a wintry crossroads in their lives. With the help of some feline divinations, they will find the courage to follow their stars into the new year.
Published October 16th by Sphere Gothic Fiction, Contemporary Horror, Short Stories Collection
BOOK DESCRIPTION: FROM THE CREATORS OF THE HAUNTING SEASONAND THE WINTER SPIRITS COMES A BRAND NEW COLLECTION OF GHOSTLY TALES
Featuring new and original stories from: Michelle Paver Stacey Halls Bridget Collins Imogen Hermes Gowar Kiran Millwood Hargrave Andrew Michael Hurley Jess Kidd Natasha Pulley Elizabeth Macneal Susan Stokes-Chapman Laura Shepherd-Robinson Stuart Turton Catriona Ward
_________
There is something peculiar about the hour after midnight.
It is the time when darkness reigns.
And strange things roam the earth.
In this dazzling collection of original haunted tales, thirteen bestselling and much-loved authors bring the old superstition of the witching hour to new and vivid life.
Transporting you from the smog of London to the freezing mists of Svalbard, from an Irish town riddled with rumour to a sinister English boarding school, these thirteen stories will serve as your spinetingling companion to the long hours of winter.
So curl up, light a candle, and wait for the clock to strike . . .
Published October 21st by Headline Thriller, Suspense, Crime Fiction, Horror Fiction, Psychological Ficiton
BOOK DESCRIPTION: Bookish dreamer Arthur Oakes is a student at Rackham College, Maine, renowned for its frosty winters and beautiful buildings.
But his idyll – and burgeoning romance with Gwen Underfoot – is shattered when local drug dealers force him into a terrible crime: stealing rare and valuable books from the exceptional college library.
Trapped and desperate, Arthur turns to his closest friends for help: the wealthy, irrepressible Colin Wren; brave, beautiful Allison Shiner; the battling twins Donna and Donovan McBride; and brainy, bold Gwen. Together they dream up an impossible, fantastical scheme that they scarcely imagine will work: to summon the fabled dragon King Sorrow to kill those tormenting Arthur.
But the six stumble backwards into a deadly bargain – they soon learn they must choose a new sacrifice for King Sorrow each year or one of them will become his next victim. Unleashing consequences they can neither predict nor control, this promise will, over the course of four decades, shape and endanger their lives in ways they could never expect.
Published October 23rd by Tor Psychological Thriller, Satire, Supernatural Fiction
BOOK DESCRIPTION: From the Sunday Times and New York Times bestseller Olivie Blake, this is a powerful and darkly fun novel about ambition, lust and eating your fill – as wealthy moms and sorority girls practice a sinister new wellness trend . . .
Good girls deserve a treat.
The House is the most exclusive sorority on campus, and all its alumni are beautiful, high-achieving and respected.
After a freshman year she would rather forget, sophomore Nina Kaur knows being accepted into The House is the first step to the brightest possible future. The House will surely ease her fears of failure and protect her from those who see a young woman on her own as prey.
Meanwhile, adjunct professor Dr Sloane Hartley is struggling. After eighteen months at home with her newborn daughter, Sloane’s clothes don’t fit right; her girl-dad husband isn’t as present as he thinks he is; and even the few hours a day she’s apart from her child fill her psyche with paralyzing ennui. When invited to be The House’s academic liaison, Sloane enviously drinks in a level of collective perfection that Sloane desperately craves.
As Nina and Sloane each get drawn deeper into the arcane rituals of the sisterhood, they learn that living well comes with bloody costs. And when they are finally invited to the table, they will have to decide just how much they can stomach in the name of solidarity and power.
Published October 23rd by Orenda Mystery, Suspense, Humorous Ficiton, Translated Fiction
BOOK DESCRIPTION: A desperate father’s Christmas promise sparks a wild Finnish road trip involving an antique sofa, unexpected passengers and danger … A darkly humorous and warmly touching suspense novel about friendship, love and death, The Winter Job flies at 120 kilometres an hour straight into the darkest heart of a Finnish winter night.
The NEW standalone darkly funny, poignant and uber-tense thriller from ‘The funniest writer in Europe’ (The Times)
Fargo meets Carl Hiassen and Fredrik Backman … via the Coen Brothers
____
Sofas, secrets and a snowbound road to trouble…
Helsinki, 1982. Recently divorced postal worker Ilmari Nieminen has promised his daughter a piano for Christmas, but with six days to go – and no money – he’s desperate.
A last-minute job offers a solution: transport a valuable antique sofa to Kilpisjärvi, the northernmost town in Finland.
With the sofa secured in the back of his van, Ilmari stops at a gas station, and an old friend turns up, offering to fix his faulty wipers, on the condition that he tags along. Soon after, a persistent Saab 96 appears in the rearview mirror. And then a bright-yellow Lada.
That’s when Ilmari realises that he is transporting something truly special.
And that’s when Ilmari realises he might be in serious trouble…
A darkly funny and unexpectedly moving thriller about friendship, love and death – The Winter Job tears through the frozen landscape of northern Finland in a beat-up van with bad steering, worse timing, and everything to lose…
Published October 23rd by Orenda Crime Fiction, Mystery, Police Procedural, Hardboiled Fiction, Icelandic Noir, Translated Fiction
BOOK DESCRIPTION: When the chief suspect in the disappearance of Áróra’s sister is found dead, and Áróra’s new financial investigation leads to the street where her sister was last seen, she is drawn into a shocking case that threatens everything … The unmissable finale to the chilling, twisty, award-winning series…
_______
A final reckoning…
With the fate of her missing sister, Ísafold, finally uncovered, Áróra feels a fragile relief as the search that consumed her life draws to a close. But when Ísafold’s boyfriend – the prime suspect in her disappearance – is found dead at the same site where Ísafold’s body was discovered, Áróra’s grip on reality starts to unravel … and the mystery remains far from solved.
To distract herself, she dives headfirst into a money-laundering case that her friend Daníel is investigating. But she soon finds that there is more than meets the eye and, once again, all leads point towards Engihjalli, the street where Ísafold lived and died, and a series of shocking secrets that could both explain and endanger everything…
Atmospheric, dark and chilling, Black as Death is the breathtaking finale to the twisty, immersive An Áróra Investigation series, as Áróra and her friends search for answers that may take them to places even darker than death…
Perfect for readers of Camilla Läckberg, Karin Slaughter, Eva Björg Ægisdóttir and Jo Nesbø.
Gone Before Goodbye by Reese Witherspoon and Harlan Coben
Published October 23rd by Century Thriller, Mystery, Suspense, Crime Fiction, Psychological Thriller, Medical Thriller, Adventure Ficiton
BOOK DESCRIPTION: An unforgettable collaboration between an award-winning actress Reese Witherspoon and the and #1 international bestselling writer Harlan Coben.
———
Maggie McCabe is on the brink. A highly skilled and renowned army combat surgeon, she has always lived life at the edge.
But now, after a devastating series of personal tragedies, Maggie is thrown a lifeline by a former colleague, an elite surgeon whose anonymous clientele demand the best care money can buy – as well as absolute discretion.
Halfway across the globe, one of the world’s most mysterious men requires unconventional medical assistance. Desperate, and one of the few surgeons in the world skilled enough to take this job, Maggie enters his realm of unspeakable opulence and fulfils her end of the agreement.
But when the patient suddenly disappears while still under her care, Maggie must become a fugitive herself – or she will be the next one who is . . . Gone Before Goodbye.
Published October 23rd by Hanover Square Press Historical Fiction, Gothic Ficiton, Domestic Fiction
BOOK DESCRIPTION: You are cordially invited to the Secret Book Society…
London, 1895: Trapped by oppressive marriages and societal expectations, three women receive a mysterious invitation to an afternoon tea at the home of the reclusive Lady Duxbury. Beneath the genteel facade of the gathering lies a secret book club—a sanctuary where they can discover freedom, sisterhood, and the courage to rewrite their stories.
Eleanor Clarke, a devoted mother suffocating under the tyranny of her husband. Rose Wharton, a transplanted American dollar princess struggling to fit the mold of an aristocratic wife. Lavinia Cavendish, an artistic young woman haunted by a dangerous family secret. All are drawn to the enigmatic Lady Duxbury, a thrice-widowed countess whose husbands’ untimely deaths have sparked whispers of murder.
As the women form deep, heartwarming friendships, they uncover secrets about their marriages, their pasts, and the risks they face. Their courage is their only weapon in the oppressive world that has kept them silent, but when secrets are deadly, one misstep could cost them everything.
Published October 23rd by Simon & Schuster UK Romance Novel, Contemporary Romance, Holiday Ficion, Festive Fiction
BOOK DESCRIPTION: Seven people, four days and a snowy Christmas on board a luxury sleeper train. This festive season getting away from it all takes on a new meaning…
The Yorkshire Belle is a glamorous steam train all decked out for an escapist festive getaway. It is not supposed to be where a group of people, all trying to get to their destinations for the holidays, will spend their Christmas.
Seven people, each with their own hopes and dreams, secrets and sorrows, board the train as strangers, but as the snow keeps falling and they realise they are going nowhere fast, they are forced to slow down and embrace the present.
This Christmas on board the Yorkshire Belle, will the friendships they make change their lives forever?
Published October 23rd by HQ Romance Novel, Contemporary Romance, Domestic Fiction, Holiday Fiction, Festive Fiction
BOOK DESCRIPTION: This Christmas, the Balfour family will have more secrets to unwrap than presents
Becky is stranded at the airport, so when she bumps into her brother’s best friend, Will, and he suggests they drive home together, Becky reluctantly agrees. For the first time, Becky is dreading Christmas, and only Will knows why. Can she trust him to keep her secret?
Her twin sister Rosie married Declan after a whirlwind romance, and now the cracks are starting to appear. Rosie and Declan have agreed to hide their problems from her family, but Rosie’s insecurities are growing. Will this Christmas bring them closer or drive them apart?
Hayley can’t wait for her first Balfour family Christmas with Jamie. The Balfour Christmas traditions sound wonderful, but she’s worried about her place in this close-knit family. Will there be room for her too? And how will they react to the secret she and Jamie have been keeping?
Despite everyone’s best intentions, all the chaos and confusion could derail their normally happy holidays. Can they tell each other the truth in time to enjoy a perfect family Christmas?
Published Octobe 28th by Del Rey Romance Novel, Magical Realism, Historical Fiction, Romantic Fantasty, Time Travel Ficiton
BOOK DESCRIPTION: Journey to a magical hotel in the Swiss Alps in this spellbinding historical romance blending mystery, art, romance and time travel. _________________________________ BEHIND EVERY DOOR, A SECOND CHANCE ‘Have you travelled a long way?’ she asked carefully. A smile twitched at the corner of his mouth. ‘Well, yes,” he said slowly. ‘Yes, you could say that. But it was worth the wait.’
London, 2015
When reclusive art appraiser Eve Shaw shakes the hand of a silver-haired gentleman in her London office, the warmth of his palm sends a spark through her.
His name is Max Everly – curiously, the same name as Eve’s favourite composer, born one hundred sixteen years prior. And she can’t shake the feeling that she’s held his hand before . . . but where, and when?
The White Octopus Hotel, 1935
Decades earlier, high in the snowy Swiss Alps, Eve and a young Max Everly wander the winding halls of the grand belle epoque White Octopus Hotel, lost in time.
Each of them has been through the trenches – Eve in a family accident and Max on the battlefields of the Great War – but for an impossible moment, love and healing are just a room away . . . if only they have the courage to step through the door.
Published October 28th by Verve Gothic Fiction, Historical Fiction, LGBT Literature
BOOK DESCRIPTION: ** A creeping story of sibling rivalry and dangerous obsession from the multi-award nominated author of Sunburn **
January 1965. The orphaned O’Leary siblings – Tom, Jack, Anna and Peggy – arrive in the village of Ballycrea, tight-lipped about their troubled past and desperate for a fresh start.
After being met with suspicion from most of the locals, the family are thrilled when they’re taken under the wing of their well-respected neighbours, Bill and Betty Nevan, who offer them work, companionship and an opportunity to fit in.
But for one of the O’Learys, this new friendship sparks an intense attachment that makes the dynamic dangerous for all. It’s difficult to bury secrets, but almost impossible to bury feelings…
Crackling with suspense, Heap Earth Upon It revisits the rural Ireland of Howarth’s critically acclaimed debut and delves into claustrophobic relationships and tangled identities, leaving you wondering who to trust until the very last page. It combines the emotional intensity and slow-burn sapphic obsession of Julia Armfield’s Our Wives Under the Sea and Yael van der Wouden’s The Safekeep with the unsettling gothic undertones of Daphne du Maurier’s Rebecca and Shirley Jackson’s fiction.
Published October 30th by Tor Fantasy Fiction, Historical Fantasy, High Fantasy, Dark Fantasy, Fairy Tale
BOOK DESCRIPTION: A legend. A lie. A love story.
A lady-knight whose legend built a nation meets a retiring historian in awe of her fame. He’s sent back through time to make sure she plays her part . . . even if it breaks his heart.
Sir Una Everlasting was Dominion’s greatest hero: the orphaned girl who became a knight, who died for queen and country. Her legend lives on in songs and stories, in children’s books and recruiting posters – but her life as it truly happened has been forgotten. Centuries later, Owen Mallory – failed soldier, struggling scholar – falls in love with the tale of Una Everlasting. Her story takes him to war, to the archives, and then into the past itself. Una and Owen are tangled together in time, bound to retell the same story over and over again, no matter what it costs. But that story always ends the same way.
If they want to rewrite Una’s legend, and finally tell a different story, they’ll have to rewrite history itself – and change their lives in the process.
Published October 30th by Viking Mystery, Crime Fiction, Historical Mystery, Cozy Mystery, Domestic Fiction
BOOK DESCRIPTION: Downton Abbey meets Knives Out in the gripping new crime series from the bestselling author where an unlikely sleuthing duo – an under-butler and a foul-mouthed octogerian – hunt a killer in a manor sealed against the end of the world.
Cornwall, 1910. On a remote tidal island, the Viscount of Tithe Hall is absorbed in feverish preparations for the apocalypse that he believes will accompany the passing of Halley’s Comet. The Hall must be sealed from top to bottom – every window, chimney and keyhole closed off before night falls. But what the pompous, dishonest Viscount has failed to take into account is the danger that lies within… By morning, he will be dead in his sealed study, murdered by his own ancestral crossbow.
All eyes turn to Stephen Pike, Tithe Hall’s newest under-butler. Fresh out of Borstal for a crime he didn’t commit, he is the wrong man in the wrong place at the wrong time. His unlikely ally? Miss Decima Stockingham, the foul-mouthed, sharp as a tack, 80-year-old family matriarch. Fearless and unconventional, she relishes chaos and puzzles alike, and a murder is just the thrill she’s been waiting for.
Together, this mismatched duo must navigate secret passages, buried grudges and rising terror to unmask the killer before it’s too late…
Published October 30th by Raven Books Suspense, Horror Fiction, Epistolary Novel, Translated Ficiton
BOOK DESCRIPTION: Dear Jiwon, I’m writing to you regarding the murder of your son…
Revenge is perhaps best served by letter. But letters get answered. And when a young tutor takes up the pen to write to her former employer revealing the true motive behind tutoring her son, she will trigger a chain of events that will leave you questioning everything – and everyone.
Dear Jiwon, What’s the first thing we learn as babies? Don’t trust another person for no good reason. Even your own flesh and blood to whom you gave birth is no exception. After all, one’s offspring are other people too. But how many times can I tell you to trust no one? Not even me.
—- Content warning: this book contains instances of animal abuse and death
Published June 10th, 2025 by Tor Fantasy Fiction, Dark Fantasy, Historical Fantasy, Lesbian Literature, Contemporary Fantasy
Welcome to my bookish thoughts for this magnificent gothic chiller.
********
ABOUT THE BOOK:
The Heart-Stopping International Sensation!
Instant No. 1 Sunday Times Bestseller No. 1 New York Times Bestseller The Radio 2 Book Club Pick
From V. E. Schwab, a genre-defying, unforgettable novel to sink your teeth into . . .
This is a story about hunger.
1532. Santo Domingo de la Calzada. A young girl grows up wild and wily – her beauty is only outmatched by her dreams of escape. But María knows she can only ever be a prize, or a pawn, in the games played by men. When an alluring stranger offers an alternate path, María makes a desperate choice. She vows to have no regrets.
This is a story about love.
1827. London. A young woman lives an idyllic but cloistered life on her family’s estate, until a moment of forbidden intimacy sees her shipped off to London. Charlotte’s tender heart and seemingly impossible wishes are swept away by an invitation from a beautiful widow – but the price of freedom is higher than she could have imagined.
This is a story about rage.
2019. Boston. College was supposed to be her chance to be someone new. That’s why Alice moved halfway across the world, leaving her old life behind. But after an out-of-character one-night stand leaves her questioning her past, her present, and her future, Alice throws herself into the hunt for answers . . . and revenge.
This is a story about life . . . how it ends, and how it starts again.
Utterly unmissable, this is a twisting, gothic tale of immortality and hunger. From the bestselling author of The Invisible Life of Addie LaRue.
********
MY REVIEW:
“Bury my bones in the midnight soil, plant them shallow and water them deep, and in my place will grow a feral rose, soft red petals hiding sharp white teeth.”
Achingly beautiful, deliciously gothic, haunting and consuming, this dark and twisted treasure is one of the most magnificent books I’ve ever had the pleasure of reading. I knew quickly that this would be a five star read and one of my favourite books this year. I was obsessed, beguiled from the first pages by this story that feels both ancient and modern, and felt utterly bereft when it was all over.
V. E. Schwab is an author I’ve heard so many great things about but her books sat on my shelves unread for years. But after hearing how passionate she was about her writing at an event this summer, I knew I had to finally pick up one of her books. And where better to start that with a vampire story during spooky season. Lyrical, poetic and descriptive, Schwab’s writing is sheer perfection. You can feel the love and attention that has gone into every word on the page. I get the hype. She is a phenomenal talent and after just one book I think I’d read her shopping list.
And while it’s undoubtedly beautiful, buried within it is something dark and filled with malevolence, heartache, longing, rage and fear. This is a story about hunger. A story about desire. A story about women. And a story about vampires. It’s a story about dark secrets, depravity, fractured people, complex love, trauma, obsession and violence against women all wrapped up in a hypnotic bow. The trio of women at the heart of this story are richly drawn, vivacious, charismatic and deeply flawed characters that I loved reading. I was enthralled as Schwab slowly but expertly wove their stories together, revealing how their destinies tragically interlaced. And while I loved reading them all, I particularly enjoyed Marie as there is just something about a really dark character that I find captivating and she had me in her thrall as she took me to the darkest depths of inhumanity.
Seductive, sapphic, ferocious and menacing, this is a must for your spooky season TBR.
Rating: ✮✮✮✮✮
********
ABOUT THE AUTHOR:
VICTORIA ‘V. E.’ SCHWAB is the No. 1 Sunday Times and New York Times bestselling author of more than twenty books, including the international sensation The Invisible Life of Addie LaRue, the acclaimed Shades of Magic universe, the Villains series, the City of Ghosts trilogy, Gallant, and The Fragile Threads of Power. When not haunting Paris streets or trudging up English hillsides, she lives in Edinburgh, Scotland, and is usually tucked in the corner of a coffee shop, dreaming up monsters.
Published September 11th, 2025 by Orenda Books Mystery, Suspense, Psychological Thriller, Crime Series, Gothic Ficiton, Contemporary Horror
Welcome to my stop on the blog tour for this nerve-shredding gothic mystery. Thank you to Anne at Random Things Tours for the invitation to take part, and to Orenda books for sending me a copy of the book in exchange for my honest review.
********
ABOUT THE BOOK:
Annie and Lewis search for the son of an old enemy, who may hold the key to ending Annie’s curse. Their investigations lead back to the past, uncovering something that could destroy the most powerful people in the country. The compelling, chilling next instalment in the Annie Jackson Mysteries series…
‘A tense, creepy page-turner’ Ian Rankin
‘Spine-tinglingly thrilling with an extraordinary sense of place’ Caro Ramsay
‘A master storyteller at the very top of his game … mesmeric and suspenseful’ Marion Todd
‘The past echoing in the present. A whisper of the supernatural. Strong characters. Evocative prose … What is there not to like? Impressive’ Douglas Skelton
–––––––
Two men, centuries apart, dream of being a wolf.
One is burned at the stake.
Another is locked in a psychiatric hospital for most of his life.
And Annie Jackson is about to find out why…
Vowing once again to remove herself from society, Annie is back living alone in her little cottage by the shores of a loch. But when an old enemy – now locked up in a high security hospital – comes calling, begging her to find the son that she was forced to give up at the age of seventeen, Annie is tempted out of seclusion. The missing boy holds the key to ending Annie’s curse, and he may be the only chance that both she and Lewis have of real happiness.
Annie and Lewis begin an investigation that takes them back to the past, a time etched in Scottish folklore, a period of history that may just be repeating itself. And what they uncover could destroy not just some of the most powerful people in the country, who will stop at nothing to protect their wealth and their secrets, but also Annie’s life, and everything she holds dear…
Dark, immersive, and utterly compelling, The Howling is a story of deception, betrayal, and misplaced power, and a reminder that the most public of faces can hide the darkest of hearts…
********
MY REVIEW:
Michael J. Malone has knocked it out of the park yet again with this darkly atmospheric and nerve-shredding thriller where ghosts of the past echo in the present and dark secrets threaten to destroy some of the country’s most powerful men. Two men separated by centuries dream of being a wolf. One of them is burned at the stake. Whilst the other is locked in a psychiatric hospital. And Annie Jackson is about to find out why as she searches for the son of her enemy in this gripping gothic mystery.
The Annie Jackson Mysteries have quickly become one of the highlights of my reading year. I know as the leaves start to turn and the cardigans get chunkier that I will be reading a chilling and sinister story that will have me on the edge of my seat. The Howling lives up to that reputation and Malone has delivered another first-rate thriller. Told by multiple narrators in multiple timelines, the story transports us between 1709, 1979 and 2024, bringing both past and present to life in vivid detail. It’s a complex, intricate and urgent mystery, full of curses, sinister suspense and whispers of the paranormal that is woven into every facet of the story and we get a real sense of the loneliness, isolation, fear and torment that those affected by them endure. As always, Malone’s storytelling is outstanding, while a strong sense of place draws you in as he expertly intertwines the multiple timelines, dropping clues like breadcrumbs throughout the narrative for us to follow. I had some predictions but my jaw dropped when the truth was finally revealed.
One of my favourite things about a series is revisiting characters I love, and Annie and Lewis are two of my favourite, and probably most original, protagonists. I love their strong bond and the way they work together to solve the crimes. They are strong, memorable and richly drawn, as are all of the characters in this book. It is easy to like and root for them while Malone also delivers villains, like the chilling Sylvia, who will make your skin crawl.
So, if you’re looking for an unsettling, heart-stopping and immersive mystery this spooky season, pick up this book. It could be read as a standalone, however I highly recommend reading the others in the series as not only is what happens woven into this story, but they are magnificent reads.
Rating: ✮✮✮✮✰
********
ABOUT THE AUTHOR:
Michael Malone is a prize-winning poet and author who was born and brought upin the heart of Burns’ He has published over 200 poems in literary magazines throughout the UK, including New Writing Scotland, Poetry Scotland and Markings. Blood Tears, his bestselling debut novel won the Pitlochry Prize from the Scottish Association of Writers. Other published work includes: Carnegie’s Call; A Taste for Malice; The Guillotine Choice; Beyond the Rage; The Bad Samaritan; and Dog Fight. His psychological thriller, A Suitable Lie, was a number-one bestseller, and the critically acclaimed House of Spines and After He Died soon followed suit. Since then, he’s written two further thought-provoking, exquisitely written psychological thrillers In the Absence of Miracles and A Song of Isolation, cementing his position as a key proponent of Tartan Noir and an undeniable talent. A former Regional Sales Manager (Faber & Faber) he has also worked as an IFA and a bookseller. Michael lives in Ayr.
Emma's Biblio Treasures 