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Audio Books Beat the Backlist book reviews Emma's Anticipated Treasures Most Anticipated 2026

BOOK REVIEW: A Bad, Bad Place by Frances Crawford

Published February 12th, 2026 by Bantam
Historical Fiction, Mystery, Thriller, Crime Fiction, Psychological Thriller, Police Procedural

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ABOUT THE BOOK:

Don’t miss the award-winning crime debut of the year – perfect for fans of The List of Suspicious Things. A murder mystery unlike any other…

*WINNER: VAL McDERMID CRIME DEBUT AWARD*
*WINNER: McILVANNEY PRIZE FOR BEST SCOTTISH CRIME BOOK OF THE YEAR*
*WINNER: BLOODY SCOTLAND DEBUT PRIZE*

What happened to the dog walker who found the body?

Glasgow, 1979.

Twelve-year-old Janey won’t take her dog, Sid Vicious, for a walk. Not anymore. It’s Sid’s fault she found the murdered woman.

Janey claims she can’t remember what she saw at the abandoned railway, but the police think she’s hiding something. And they’re not the only ones interested.

Fear and rumour rip through the tight-knit community of Possilpark. Janey and her nana, Maggie, are dragged into the hunt for a murderer. And Maggie’s struggle to keep her beloved granddaughter safe becomes ever more desperate.

Because Janey’s memories can’t stay hidden forever.

And neither can the killer…

BUY HERE

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MY REVIEW:

Glasgow, 1979. Twelve-year-old Janey won’t take her dog, Sid Vicious for a walk anymore. Not since she found the body. Janey claims not to remember what she saw that day at the abandoned railway, but the police don’t believe her. And they are right. Janey is haunted by the brutal images she saw that day but has vowed to herself she’ll never reveal what she really saw. And as rumours sweep through their tight-knit community, Janey’s nana, Maggie, tries to keep her granddaughter safe from a killer that is still on the loose. 

This sensational debut has won multiple crime awards here in the UK this year and it is easy to see why. Insightful, funny, gut-wrenching, original and addictive, it had me on the edge of my seat from start to finish. Exquisitely written, this first-class thriller is a masterclass in pace, plotting and tension. The story has a strong sense of place and a troubled, small-town vibe. This is a place where everybody knows everybody and they like to think there are no secrets. But when Sam is murdered they are forced to wrestle with the fact that one of them is keeping the darkest of secrets. But who? There are multiple suspects and unreliable narrators which kept me guessing right up until the final page. Frances Crawford had me in a chokehold, my heart racing through the twists and turns, right up until that final reveal. And I’m still not over that ending!

The characters feel achingly human. They are messy, flawed, vulnerable and real; ordinary people who have been plunged into a nightmare. The tragedy consumes and haunts them, their horror leaping from the pages as you walk every step beside them. Told in alternating chapters by Janey and Maggie, Janey’s chapters begin with however many days it has been since the murder, which I found heartbreaking. It is evident how much of an effect this has had on her and I can’t imagine seeing something so horrific at just twelve years old. Janey is haunted by what she saw and terrified to admit what she knows but also eager to see justice done for Sam, so she quietly starts her own investigation, which felt like a very real response. Maggie is also well written. Strong and fiercely protective, I loved the relationship she had with Janey and it is obvious she only does what she thinks is best for her granddaughter. I liked that we got to know Sam as a person, too, even though she’s already dead at the start of the book.

A tense, heart-rending and unmissable debut, this is a must-read for all thriller lovers. 

Rating: ✮✮✮✮✮

Thank you Bantam for sending me a proof copy of the book in exchange for my honest review.

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ABOUT THE AUTHOR:

As a passionate advocate of lifelong learning, Frances Crawford graduated in 2022, age 60, with MLitt (Distinction) in Creative Writing from Glasgow University. In 2023, she won the Bloody Scotland/Glencairn Crime Short Story Competition, and the first chapters of her debut novel A Bad, Bad Place won Highly Commended in the Moniack Mhor Emerging Writer Award 2024. 

A Bad, Bad Place was published by Transworld in February 2026, and has since won the 2026 Theakston Old Peculier McDermid Debut Award at Harrogate Festival, the 2026 Bloody Scotland Debut Prize, and the 2026 McIlvanney Award for Best Scottish Crime Novel at Bloody Scotland: the first author to win both awards in one year. 

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Thanks for reading, Bibliophiles xxxx

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Audio Books book reviews Emma's Anticipated Treasures

BOOK REVIEW: Thornby Manor by Stephanie Bramwell-Lawes

Published April 23rd, 2026 by Orenda Books
Gothic Fiction, Historical Fiction, Romance Novel

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ABOUT THE BOOK:

Penniless and newly orphaned Briar Monroe finds shelter at Thornby Manor, a brooding estate above a mist-shrouded lake. But whispers of a dead wife, an estranged son and locked-away secrets haunt its corridors … Atmospheric, intoxicating and laced with peril – a spellbinding historical mystery of love, betrayal, obsession and a house that will not forget…

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There – suddenly – was Thornby Manor.
I would never forget the first time I saw it…
A talisman of darkness, an emblem of death.

Warwickshire, 1891. Recently orphaned and left destitute, Briar Monroe accepts the protection of Lord Danville and the shadowed sanctuary of Thornby Manor. The great house looms above a mist-shrouded lake, its corridors heavy with secrets – not least the mysterious death of Lady Elizabeth Danville, and the unspoken tensions between her formidable widower and his magnetic son, Gabriel.

As Briar navigates the undercurrents of a household ruled by watchful servants and locked doors, she is drawn ever deeper into a web of suspicion, desire and fear. Whispers in the night, figures at windows, and a constant sense of being watched leave her questioning not only the truth about Thornby, but her own safety within its walls.

Atmospheric, intoxicating and laced with peril, Thornby Manor is a gothic tale of betrayal, obsession and a house that never forgets.

A simmering, haunting debut for readers who loved Jane Eyre, Rebecca, The Woman in White and The Silent Companions.

BUY HERE

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MY REVIEW:

1891. After the death of her parents, Briar Monore finds herself homeless and penniless. She accepts the protection of Lord Danville and takes shelter at Thornby Manor, his brooding Warwickshire estate above a mist-shrouded lake. But Briar soon learns that all is not what it seems at Thornby and it is haunted by whispers of a dead wife, estranged son, madness and long-buried secrets. As floorboards creek, windowpanes rattle, figures appear at windows and things go bump in the night, Briar finds herself fearing for her safety. 

Darkly atmospheric, menacing and unsettling. Thornby Manor is a gorgeous Gothic debut perfect for this time of year. A tale of grief, madness, mystery, secrets and suspicion, this is one you need to read by a warm fire with a light on. Skillfully and evocatively written, Stephanie Bramwell-Lawes showcases as a new star in Gothic Victoriana with this spellbinding tale. It’s Gothic fiction at its finest; oozing menace as a sense of unease permeates every page. Stephanie had me in her thrall and I devoured the book quickly. 

I love morally grey characters and this book is filled with them. Even protagonist Briar is someone we can’t be sure we can trust as she alludes to a secret from the start. But she is a great character. Likeable, determined and with a strong sense of justice, she was easy to root for at every step, even if I was intrigued by what she was hiding. Lord Danville on the other hand felt untrustworthy from the start and I had my suspicions about what happened to his wife. 

Thornby Manor also feels like a character in its own right thanks to the vivid descriptions of the house and its strange occurrences. What was really going on? Were there ghosts haunting its halls? It was so unsettling and the mystery only seemed to deepen as we learned more. I had so many questions and was on the edge of my seat as I waited for answers.

A dark, dramatic and disturbing gothic debut, this is perfect for reading on a dark night.

Rating: ✮✮✮✮.5

Thank you to Orenda for sending me a copy of the book in exchange for my honest review.

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ABOUT THE AUTHOR:


Stephanie Bramwell-Lawes grew up in the historic city of Bath and studied History and Ancient History at Exeter University. A lifelong love of literature led to a career in publishing in 2009, and her passion for books has only continued to grow ever since. Her favourite novels include Jane Eyre, Wuthering Heights, Rebecca, and anything by Tracy Chevalier. She currently lives in Warwickshire with her husband and a small feline dictator named Ruby. Thornby Manor is her debut novel.

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Thanks for reading, Bibliophiles xxxx

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Audio Books Beat the Backlist book reviews Emma's Anticipated Treasures

BOOK REVIEW: What Have You Done? by Shari Lapena

Published July 18th, 2024 by Bantam
Thriller, Mystery, Crime Fiction, Psychological Thriller, Suspense, Domestic Fiction

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ABOUT THE BOOK:

Nothing ever happens in sleepy little Fairhill.

The teenagers get their kicks telling ghost stories in the old graveyard. The parents trust their kids will arrive home safe from school. Everyone knows everyone. Curtains rarely twitch. Front doors are left unlocked.

But this morning all of that will change.

Because Diana Brewer isn’t lying safely in her bed where she belongs. Instead she lies in a hayfield, circled by vultures, discovered by a local farmer.

How quickly a girl becomes a ghost. How quickly a town of friendly, familiar faces becomes a town of suspects, a place of fear and paranoia.

Someone in Fairhill did this. Everyone wants answers.

And one innocent question could be deadly.

BUY HERE

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MY REVIEW:

Nothing ever happens in the small, quiet town of Fairhill in Vermont. Not until the morning when a farmer finds the body of a teenage girl in his field. She has been brutally murdered and her eyes gouged out and stomach ripped open by vultures. It’s a gruesome sight and as news spreads through the town it sends shockwaves through the residents. She is identified as Diana Brewer and someone in Fairhill savagely murdered her.The whole town wants answers but there is one person who is trying to evade the truth coming to light. Who? And why did they kill her?

Shari Lapena is one of my favourite thriller authors and this was another first-class thriller. Suspenseful, cryptic, twisty and addictive, it got under my skin and Shari held me in her thrall from the first page. Her writing is razor-sharp, her pacing perfect, and the story is filled with clever clues and misdirection that kept me on my toes. I was completely hooked and inhaled this book, staying up far too late to finish it as I had to know who had killed Diana. 

I love books set in a small town because they inspire a false sense of security and safety where everyone knows everyone. But after a crime they begin to realise that maybe they don’t know at least one of their neighbours as well as they thought and paranoia and suspicion sweeps through the town. There is also a real sense of danger that the claustrophobia of the town only intensifies. 

There is a large cast of characters, many of whom also narrate the story. But my favourite narrator was Diana herself, who narrates from beyond the grave. It gave me The Lovely Bones vibes but, unlike that book, Diana has no idea who her killer is and is trying to solve her murder alongside the reader. But this wasn’t an easy book to predict. So many people were acting sketchy and I found myself vacillating between possible culprits. But over time things began to come back to Diana, adding to the tension and narrowing the list of suspects. It’s so well done that I only settled on a suspect moments before the big reveal.

A must-read for all thriller lovers.

Rating: ✮✮✮✮✰

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ABOUT THE AUTHOR:

Shari Lapena is the #1 internationally bestselling author of ten suspense novels including The Couple Next Door, A Stranger in the House, An Unwanted Guest, Someone We Know, The End of Her, Not a Happy Family, Everyone Here is Lying, What Have You Done?, She Didn’t See It Coming, and Getting Away With Murder.

A former lawyer and English teacher, Shari now writes full time from a farm in Ontario, where she lives with her husband.

Her first thriller, The Couple Next Door, was a runaway global bestseller, selling  4 million copies worldwide. It was WHSmith’s “Book of the Year” in 2016 and the #1 Adult Fiction Title in the UK for 2017. All of Shari’s thrillers have been New York Times, UK Sunday Times, and Globe and Mail bestsellers. Four of her books have been Richard & Judy Book Club Picks. Her books have sold into forty territories around the world and have been optioned for film and TV.

She doesn’t want you to be able to put her books down.

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Thanks for reading, Bibliiophiles xxxx

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Audio Books Beat the Backlist book reviews Emma's Anticipated Treasures

AUDIOBOOK REVIEW: Uncharmed by Lucy Jane Wood

Published September 18th, 2025 by Pan Macmillan
Fantasy Fiction, Contemporary Fantasy, Paranormal Fantasy, Romance Novel, Supernatural Fiction

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ABOUT THE BOOK:

Andromeda Wildwood is practically perfect in every witch way. As the proud owner of a bustling London bakery, Annie’s life is a haze of pink, magic and impossibly high standards. But under the surface, she’s exhausted – a chronic people pleaser who devotes her powers to others, no matter the magical toll it takes.

But Annie’s charmed existence is about to get delightfully messy . . .

Annie is tasked by her coven with mentoring a troubled teenage witch, and she couldn’t be more different from fiery, stubborn Maeve. Or from Hal, the gruff but handsome owner of the woodland cottage where they must temporarily reside.

As the unlikely trio slowly bond, they discover that family can be found in the most delightfully dysfunctional places. But soon, outside forces begin to take an interest in Maeve’s extraordinary powers . . .

Will Annie risk everything to protect the true magic she’s finally found?

BUY HERE

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MY REVIEW:

Thank you to Pan Macmillan and Netgalley for my copy of the book in exchange for my honest review.

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ABOUT THE BOOK:

Lucy Jane Wood is a Sunday Times bestselling author, online content creator, avid reader and cosiness-seeker from the Wirral. These days, you’ll find her living in London, giant coffee in hand, and being headbutted at any given time by her cat.

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Audio Books book reviews Emma's Anticipated Treasures

BOOK REVIEW: This Immortal Heart by Jennifer Saint

Published June 4th, 2026 by Viking
Historical Fiction, Greek Mythology, Fairy Tale, Historical Fantasy, Romantic Fantasy, Fantasy Fiction

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ABOUT THE BOOK:

From the #1 bestselling author comes an epic story of love and war as two opposing deities find themselves drawn to each other against all odds. Because when Aphrodite and Ares fall in love, sparks are bound to fly.

‘A LUSCIOUS RETELLING THAT HELD ME TIGHT BY THE HEARTSTRINGS’ SAARA EL-ARIFI, bestselling author of Cursebound
‘A TIMELESS LOVE STORY’ EMILIA HART, bestselling author of Sirens
‘TRULY GORGENOUS, WONDERFULLY FRESH ROMANTIC FANTASY’ ELODIE HARPER, bestselling author of Boudicca’s Daughter

This is the oldest love story of all time . . .

Aphrodite, Goddess of Love, wields unparalleled power over every divine and mortal heart. Though her world is one of beauty, she is the most dangerous god of all, ruled by passion regardless of the consequences.

Ares, God of War, is her perfect contradiction: feared, unwanted and relentless in his devotion to chaos. Where she breathes life into longing, he thrives in destruction.

And yet gods are no more immune to love and loss than anyone else, and soon their lives collide. But even divine love can’t protect them from the fates of Mount Olympus, and whilst the God of War may be capable of greater love than anyone else, so may the Goddess of Love be capable of the gravest mistakes . . .

buy here

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MY REVIEW:

Jennifer Saint has been an auto-buy author whose books are a highlight of my reading year ever since her spectacular debut, Ariadne. I love her commitment to illuminating ancient female voices to a modern audience and showing us a side to these women we might not have seen before. And how beautiful is that cover and the spredges.

Her latest book, This Immortal Heart, retells the story of the oldest love story of all time. Aphrodite may be the goddess of love, but her passionate nature makes her the most dangerous goddess of all. Fierce and relentless, Ares, god of war, is her perfect opposite. They shouldn’t be compatible, but love has its own rules and they are soon caught up in a volatile romance. And when they collide their chaotic love affair disrupts the status quo and threatens order on Mount Olympus. 

Illuminating, passionate, enthralling and timeless, Jennifer has crafted another unforgettable retelling that feels as hearty as an Olympian feast. Aphrodite is a goddess we’ve all heard of. And her love story with Ares is well-known, but I think this is the most moving and powerful telling of it that I’ve ever read. It is a story of desire, love and heartache set against a backdrop of the politics of Zeus’ kingdom. Drenched in love, lust and longing, Aphrodite’s passion for Ares leaped from the pages while the tempestuous atmosphere on Mount Olympus made my  heart race.  

Aphrodite is usually portrayed as vain and shallow, but this version is much more thoughtful and wants to spread happiness by bestowing her gifts on her followers. But mortals are fallible and she is left dismayed when her gifts lead to unexpected consequences. Her passion for Ares surprises her as much as anyone and it was fun to see her so out of sorts, consumed by a love that she knew was bad for her but also felt impossible to resist. I think we can all relate to the dangerous allure of a bad boy or someone we know is wrong for us but we feel a strong pull towards and I was rooting for them against the odds.

This gorgeous retelling is a must-read for anyone who loves Greek Mythology.

Rating: ✮✮✮✮.5

Thanks to Viking and Libro.fm for my complimentary copy of the book in exchange for my honest review.

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ABOUT THE AUTHOR:

Jennifer Saint grew up reading Greek mythology and was always drawn to the untold stories hidden within the myths. After thirteen years as a high school English teacher, she wrote Ariadne, which was shortlisted for Waterstones Book of the Year in 2021 and was a Waterstones Book of the Month, as well as being a Sunday Times bestseller.

Jennifer Saint is now a full-time author, living in Yorkshire, England, with her family. All of her novels have been Sunday Times bestsellers, with Elektra and Atalanta hitting the coveted number one slot.

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Thanks for reading, Bibliophiles xxxx

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SQUADPOD FEATURED BOOK REVIEW: The Sugar and Spice Bookshop Bakery by Jennifer Page

Published October 8th, 2026 by Aria
Romance Novel, Contemporary Romance, Romantic Comedy, Cosy Fiction

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ABOUT THE BOOK:

Louise Dearnley has spent her life editing perfectly neat love stories, where heartbreak leads to fresh starts, charming small businesses bloom, and happily-ever-afters are guaranteed.

But now in her forties, she’s quit her job – and no, she doesn’t want to talk about why – and returned home to Applethwaite, the small Yorkshire village where she grew up. Starting over doesn’t feel nearly so much fun in real life as it does in fiction.

It also doesn’t help that her mother is convinced she’s here to run the family bakery, especially as the locals can’t get enough of Louise’s legendary ginger cake and scrumptious scones. Between renovations, a quirky ex-stepdaughter (who’s unexpectedly come to stay) and a gorgeous Italian who seems too good to be true, Louise’s second chance begins to take shape.

After a lifetime spent polishing other people’s happy endings, will Louise finally have one of her own?

BUY HERE

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MY REVIEW:

Louise Dearnley has spent her life editing books where happy-ever-after is guaranteed. But real life doesn’t work that way. And after making a mistake so bad she quit her job, Louise escapes back to her small Yorkshire hometown to put herself back together. But there’s a problem: her mum thinks she’s come back to run the family bakery now that she’s retired. But Louise doesn’t want to run a bakery. She’s always dreamed of running a bookshop. Unfortunately, the locals want her to run the bakery too and can’t get enough of Louise’s ginger cake. Will she find the courage to go after her dream?

When I picked up this book I was in need of cheering up and it certainly did the trick. I mean, books and baked goods; what isn’t there to love? Funny, romantic and uplifting, this moreish read is a bibliophile and cake lover’s dream and feels like curling up by the fire with a good book and your favourite pastry. I’d heard great things about Jennifer Page’s books but this was my first time reading one myself. Now I’m wondering why I waited so long and totally understand why people sing her praises. I loved everything about this book: the writing, the charismatic characters, the dreamy love interest, the Yorkshire setting, the books and the cake. There is nothing not to love. I listened to the audiobook and it was brilliantly narrated by Caroline McNally-Smith. 

Louise is a wonderful protagonist. I felt for her as she beat herself  up over her big mistake and worried about how to tell her mum she didn’t want to run the bakery without upsetting her. But I was thrilled and cheering her on as she found her confidence, started standing up for herself and chased her dream. The will they/won’t they romance between her and Jack was perfect and I was rooting for them to get together. Louise’s relationship with her mother and her step-daughter were also great to read, and there was an array of fascinating background characters too. 

A gorgeous lighthearted read that is perfect for any time of year. I highly recommend this book. Just have some cake handy before you start. 

Rating: 🎂🎂🎂🎂

Thank you Aria for sending me a copy of this book in exchange for my honest review.

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ABOUT THE AUTHOR:

Jennifer Page wrote her first novel – a book about ponies – when she was eight. These days she prefers to write romance. When she isn’t writing, Jennifer can usually be found playing board games which are the inspiration for her first novel. She has worked as a television producer, a music teacher and has even run a children’s opera company. She now lives near Hebden Bridge in West Yorkshire with her husband and his large collection of games.

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Thanks for reading, Bibliophiles xxxx

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Audio Books book reviews Emma's Anticipated Treasures

BOOK REVIEW: Serenity Falls by C. J. Tudor

Published September 10th, 2026 by Michael Joseph
Thriller, Suspense, Mystery, Horror

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ABOUT THE BOOK:

Welcome to Serenity Falls – the most idyllic, and safest, town in the US – a place to grow up, grow your family and grow old together. For Dan and his daughter, Sadie, it’s the perfect relocation option. A fresh start, thousands of miles from their troubled past in the UK.

But their idyll is shattered when they find a dead body in the swimming pool of their new house – a house Dan’s late mother kept secret from him all his life.

It’s just the start of a series of disturbing discoveries. Abandoned houses where people have seemingly just upped and left. The strange woman Sadie sees around town putting up ‘missing’ posters for a child who drowned almost thirty years ago. An ice cream van that drives around at night making sure residents are asleep…

As plans gear up to celebrate Serenity Falls’ fiftieth anniversary, something is stirring beneath the surface of the blissful façade. Is Serenity Falls really the perfect town or is it founded on something far darker? And is someone so desperate to keep its secrets that they’d resort to anything to preserve them?

Welcome to Serenity Falls.
Once you’re here, you’re here to stay.

Serenity Falls’ first readers have fallen in love with it…

buy here

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MY REVIEW:

Welcome to Serenity Falls. An idyllic, gated town that is known as the safest place to live in the US, it seems like the ideal place for Dan and his teenage daughter, Sadie, to make a fresh start. But when they arrive at their new home they are shocked to find a body floating face down in their pool. Especially as they were told there is no crime in Serenity Falls. But this place is not what it seems and as the days go by Dan and Sadie notice cracks in the friendly residents, bright smiles and perfect homes. They begin to realise that Serenity Falls is a place filled with dark secrets that some people will kill to keep hidden.

Ominous, dark, eerie and unsettling, C. J. Tudor has knocked it out of the park once again, holding me in a chokehold from the first page until the heart-stopping finale. Exquisitely written, shrewdly plotted and expertly paced, this book showcases why Will Dean has called C. J. ‘the maestro of macabre’. It’s claustrophobic, chilling and uncomfortable, this is a masterclass in malice. The suspense and dread are omnipresent, like there is danger lurking in every corner of this picture-perfect paradise. C. J is an expert at taking the ordinary and turning it into a nightmare. I know I’ll never look at an ice cream van the same way again after reading this book. As secrets are uncovered skeletons come out of the closet and tradies are discovered, changing everything we think we know about this town.

Serenity Falls is based on the real town of Celebration in Florida which used to be owned by Disney, which is the company that inspired the Winsome Corporation. I have been to Disney World twice and visited Celebration in 2016 and can see how both places could inspire a sinister, secretive story such as this one. C. J. perfectly captures the cookie-cutter perfection of the town and I can only begin to imagine how living in a place governed by so many strict rules could get stifling. Especially as in the fictional Serenity Falls there are no mobile phones allowed, people have to wear a special bracelet at all times and there is a strict curfew that everyone must adhere to. 

There is a huge cast of great characters and many of them are narrators, which can make it a little confusing at times. But I also really enjoyed those different perspectives as they allowed us glimpses into different lives and there were times where what I knew made me terrified for Dan or Sadie and I just wanted to jump into the book and help them. 

A deliciously unsettling thriller, add this to your spooky season TBR now.

Rating: ✮✮✮✮✰

Thank you Michael Joseph for sending me a copy of the book in exchange for my honest review.

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ABOUT THE AUTHOR:

C. J. Tudor lives with her partner and young daughter. Her love of writing, especially the dark and macabre, started young. When her peers were reading Judy Blume, she was devouring Stephen King and James Herbert.

Over the years she has had a variety of jobs, including trainee reporter, radio scriptwriter, dog walker, voiceover artist, television presenter, copywriter and, now, author.

Her first novel, The Chalk Man, was a Sunday Times bestseller and sold in thirty-nine territories.

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Thanks for reading, Bibliophiles xxxxx

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BOOK REVIEW: Last Night at the Telegraph Club by Malinda Lo

Published March 18th, 2021 by Hodder
Historical Fiction, Romance Novel, Lesbian Literature, Young Adult Literature, Bildungsroman

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ABOUT THE BOOK:

WINNER OF THE NATIONAL BOOK AWARD FOR YOUNG ADULT LITERATURE; THE ASIAN PACIFIC AMERICAN AWARD FOR YOUTH LITERATURE; THE STONEWALL BOOK AWARD (YA); THE PRINTZ HONOR
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‘A gripping novel where historical fiction meets romance, Last Night at the Telegraph is a whirlwind read… Immersive and creative.’ – Gay Times

‘Lo’s writing . . . shimmers with the thrills of youthful desire. A lovely, memorable novel’ – Sarah Waters, author of Tipping the Velvet and The Night Watch.

From the award winning author of Ash comes a gripping story of love and duty set in San Francisco’s Chinatown during the 1950s.

Seventeen-year-old Lily Hu can’t remember exactly when the question took root, but the answer was in full bloom the moment she and Kathleen Miller walked under the flashing neon sign of a lesbian bar called the Telegraph Club.

America in 1954 is not a safe place for two girls to fall in love, especially not in Chinatown. Red-Scare paranoia threatens everyone, including Chinese Americans like Lily. With deportation looming over her father – despite his hard-won citizenship – Lily and Kath risk everything to let their love see the light of day.

BUY HERE

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MY REIVEW:

Chinatown, 1954. Seventeen-year-old Lily Hu can’t remember when she started questioning her sexuality, but she knew the answer as soon as she accompanied Kathleen to a lesbian bar called the Telegraph Club. But 1950s America – and especially Chinatown – is not a safe place for two girls to fall in love. Lily is torn. Deportation already looms over her family and she knows that if her relationship is discovered, it will only mean more trouble for them. But she can’t let Kath go and risks everything for love. 

Powerful, moving, immersive and compelling, Last Night at the Telegraph Club was a thought-provoking read. This book was not on my radar until I started researching banned historical fiction books for my Little Stack article and came across it. Malinda Lo’s writing is beautiful, raw and deeply human. It is clear she has done her research and I enjoyed the timeline sections that gave extra historical context to the story. Malinda also goes further into this in her author’s note, where she also shares that this book was inspired by her own family history. Unfortunately, the topics covered in this book have led to it becoming the fourth most banned book in the U.S  during the 2024-2025 school year. That is a tragedy to me as I believe many young people would benefit from reading this story. But it has also won awards which makes much more sense to me as it is a truly magnificent read.

The 1950s are not that long ago and it is always sobering to read a story that reminds us just how much has changed since that time. My heart broke for Lily, Kath and the other women as they were forced to hide who they are and who they love or face devastating consequences. And Lily had the extra pressure of being a Chinese immigrant at a time when people were threatened with deportation if they were suspected of being communists. I was shocked at some of the historic details about what they went through and can’t imagine how hard it must have been.

A heart-rending and unforgettable story of love, sexual awakening, identity, loyalty and prejudice, I highly recommend this book.

Rating: ✮✮✮✮✰

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ABOUT THE AUTHOR:

Malinda Lo is the New York Times bestselling author of seven novels, including most recently A Scatter of Light.

Her novel Last Night at the Telegraph Club won the National Book Award, the Stonewall Book Award, the Asian/Pacific American Award for Literature, a Michael L. Printz Honor, and was an LA Times Book Prize finalist.

Her books have received 15 starred reviews and have been finalists for multiple awards, including the Andre Norton Award and the Lambda Literary Award. Born in Guangzhou, China, Malinda immigrated to the United States as a child with her family, and grew up near Boulder, Colorado. She now lives in Massachusetts with her wife and their dog.

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Thanks for reading, Bibliophiles xxxx

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Audio Books book reviews Emma's Anticipated Treasures

BOOK REVIEW: One of the Family by Mark Edwards

Published June 18th, 2026 by Michael Joseph
Thriller, Suspense, Psychological Thriller

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ABOUT THE BOOK:

In this family, some secrets are worth killing for…

‘Ingenious and chilling in equal measure‘ M.J. ARLIDGE
‘Backstabbingly brilliant with twist after twist’ JOHN MARRS
‘Relatable yet nerve-shredding… a master of the page-turning twist’ CHRIS CHIBNALL


The outstanding new psychological thriller from Mark Edwards, the 5 million copy-bestselling author of The Wasp Trap, Here to Stay and The Magpies

*****
Holly seems like the perfect girlfriend. Clever, funny, beautiful – Patrick feels like he’s hit the jackpot.

Until he meets her family.

Her dad has a mysterious new girlfriend. Her sister is unwelcoming. Her brother is clearly lying about something. And Patrick gets the sense all of them share a dark secret – even Holly.

When he finds out about the body that was found nearby on their last family holiday, Patrick sets out to find the truth.

But as skeletons tumble out of the family’s closet, Patrick realises he needs to be careful. Because in this family, loyalty is everything – and at least one of them is willing to kill to keep their secrets…

BOOK REVIEW

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MY REVIEW:

Mark Edwards never fails to deliver a tense, twisty and totally gripping thriller where terrible things happen to ordinary people, this time taking the everyday ‘meeting the parents’ situation and turning it into a nightmare. Because if you think your family has problems, then just wait until you meet the Grant family…

Patrick and Holly are on their way to Scotland to spend Hogmanay with her family. It’s the first time he’s met her family but the tension between them is evident from the moment they arrive. Not only that, Holly’s father, Charles, has a new and much younger girlfriend who is a bizarre doppelganger of his late wife, her brother, Lewis, is lying about something, and Patrick is sure that the whole family are hiding a dark secret.  Then, Patrick learns about the body that was found nearby a year ago and sets out to discover what happened to him, truths are slowly revealed that seem to lead back to the Grant family. Patrick knows he must watch his back, because someone in this family is willing to kill to keep their secrets hidden…

I love a locked-room thriller, especially when people are trapped by a snow-storm. So this was right up my street. Add in that it’s written by one of my favourite thriller authors and you’ve got the perfect thriller. Expertly written, cleverly plotted and perfectly paced, there’s a dark, unnerving tension that permeates the pages and kept me on the edge of my seat from start to finish. And it’s not easy to predict, keeping me guessing until Mark made my jaw drop as the shocking truths were revealed.

I’ve seen this book described as Succession meets The Traitors and that is a perfect description. This family is backstabbing, dysfunctional and the perfect example of the adage “money doesn’t buy happiness”. This is a family teeming with secrets, lies and distrust. Patriarch Charles expects fierce loyalty but for Patrick their secrets are too terrible for him to agree to keep them, which puts him in danger. Other than Holly I didn’t like anyone in this family. They are all awful people who are only out for themselves and don’t care who gets hurt so long as they are protected but Mark writes them brilliantly, making their malice leap from the pages.

A nerve-shredding, first-class thriller, this is a must-read.

Rating: ✮✮✮✮.5

Thank you Michael Joseph for sending me a copy of this book in exchange for my honest reivew.

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ABOUT THE AUTHOR:

Mark Edwards writes psychological thrillers about scary things happening to ordinary people. He has sold more than five million copies of his books and topped the bestseller lists numerous times since his first solo novel was published in 2013.

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Thanks for reading, Bibliophiles xxxx

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BOOK REVIEW: How To Disappear by Gillian McAllister

Published July 9th, 2020 by Michael Joseph
Thriller, Mystery, Suspense, Psychological Fiction, Legal Fiction, Domestic Fiction, Political Fiction

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ABOUT THE BOOK:

The gripping Sunday Times bestseller that will have you on the edge of your seat until the very last page

‘Bravo! Gripping and emotional – a cracking read’ Clare Mackintosh

‘A relentless drumroll of suspense . . . ranks among the best psychological-suspense thrillers of recent years’ A. J. Finn

You can run, you can hide, but can you disappear for good?

Lauren’s daughter Zara witnessed a terrible crime. But speaking up comes with a price, and when Zara’s identity is revealed online, it puts a target on her back.

The only choice is to disappear.

To keep Zara safe, Lauren will give up everything and everyone she loves, even her husband.

There will be no goodbyes. Their pasts will be rewritten. New names, new home, new lives.

The rules are strict for a reason. They are being hunted. One mistake – a text, an Instagram like – could bring their old lives crashing into the new.

They can never assume someone isn’t watching, waiting.

As Lauren will learn, disappearing is easy. Staying hidden is harder . . .

BUY HERE

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MY REVIEW:

After witnessing a group of young men stabbing a homeless man to death, Zara speaks up and testifies in court. The young men, who were promising footballers, are outraged that they have lost their careers and had their life ruined. Her identity is revealed online and Zara’s life is now in danger. There is only one solution: Zara and her mother, Lauren, must disappear…

Heart-stoppingly tense, twisty and addictive, I binged this book in under a day. Nobody goes heart-pounding tension and twists that make your jaw drop like Gillian McAllister, and this book is the perfect example of why she’s one of my favourite thriller authors. Masterfully written and skillfully choreographed, this is a story that held me tight by the heartstrings whilst keeping me on the edge of my seat. And make sure you clear your schedule before you start reading, because once you pick this one up you won’t be able to put it down. It’s emotional, hard to predict and so twisty it gave me book whiplash. And that ending! A round of applause Ms. McAllister for one of the best thriller endings I’ve ever read. It’s been a few weeks and I’m still not over it.

Before Zara witnesses the crime, she, Lauren, Aiden and Poppy are an ordinary blended family. But after Zara’s identity is revealed they are dropped into a nightmare. Lauren and Aiden have difficult decisions to make that could tear their family apart. It is so emotional as well as tense, and really made me think about what I would have done in their situation. My heart broke for them, but especially for Zara. Being a teenager is hard at the best of times, but being a teenager when you’re having to hide your identity, run from people trying to kill you and worry about everything you say and do, is impossible.

Thriller lovers, you don’t want to miss this book! 

Rating: ✮✮✮✮.5

Thank you Michael Joseph and Netgaelly for provoding me with a proof copy of the book in exchange for my honest review.

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ABOUT THE AUTHOR:

Gillian McAllister  is the Sunday Times and New York Times bestselling author of nine stand-alone novels. Her books have been selected for the Radio 2 Book Club, Reese’s Book Club and the Richard & Judy Book Club. Her previous novel, Wrong Place Wrong Time, was a Waterstones Thriller of the Month and was shortlisted for The British Book Awards Crime & Thriller Book of the Year and the Theakston Old Peculier Crime Novel of the Year. Gillian’s books are published in thirty-eight languages.

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Thanks for reading, Bibliophiles xxxx

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