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Audio Books Beat the Backlist book reviews Emma's Anticipated Treasures Most Anticipated 2023

BOOK REVIEW: Weyward by Emilia Hart

Published February 2nd, 2023 by The Borough Press
Gothic Fiction, Historical Fiction, Supernatural Fiction, Horror Fiction,

Today I’m sharing my thoughts on this powerful and beguiling debut.

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ABOUT THE BOOK:

*As seen on BBC’s BETWEEN THE COVERS

* A #2 Times bestseller

* A New York Times bestseller

OVER 500,000 COPIES SOLD WORLDWIDE

‘Humming with a sly, exhilarating magic’ BRIDGET COLLINS
‘A much-heralded epic’ OBSERVER
‘Empowering’ GLAMOUR

Three women, five centuries, one spellbinding story

In the present day, Kate flees a traumatic relationship to the Cumbrian cottage she inherited from her great-aunt; but the cottage hides secrets of its own.

In 1942, Violet rebels against her father’s ideas of a ‘proper young lady’ . . . until he takes matters into his own hands.

In 1619, Altha is on trial for witchcraft, implicated in the gruesome death of a local man.

Three women they tried to cage – but Weyward women belong to the wild. And they cannot be tamed…

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MY REVIEW:

“Witch. The word slithers from the mouth like a serpent. Drips from the tongue as thick and black as tar. We never thought of ourselves as witches, my mother and I. For this was a word invented by men. And with that brings power to those who speak it not those it describes. A word that builds gallows and pyres, turns breathing women into corpses. No, it was not a word we ever used.” 

Spellbinding, haunting, moving, fierce and empowering, Weyward is an outstanding debut that explores the threads that reach across time to connect women. 

The story is told from the perspective of three women: Altha, Violet and Kate. In 1619 Altha, who is a healer, is on trial for witchcraft after being implicated in the gruesome death of a local man. In 1942 Violet lives a suffocating life with her father and brother and rebels against what a ‘proper young lady’ should be. But her rebellion will spark a chain of events that have devastating results. And in 2019 Kate flees an abusive relationship and takes refuge in the Cumbrian cottage she inherited from her great-aunt. But as she will discover, the cottage – and her aunt – hide long-buried secrets of their own. 

Emilia Hart showcases herself as an author to watch with this incredible debut. Beautifully written, expertly crafted and intricately woven, it moves between the three narrators and timelines to slowly unveils their stories and ultimately reveals how their paths are connected. The three women at the centre of the book are strong, fierce, relatable and compelling characters. My heart went out to each of them and the terrible situations they faced but I ultimately found myself in awe of their strength and resilience. Interwoven into each woman’s story is a hint of the supernatural as Hart explores the way that women who are healers or have a deeper connection to nature have found themselves accused of witchcraft. While this is explored in each timeline, Altha’s storyline focuses most on this as she lived at the time of the witch trials and is on trial for witchcraft. 

Hart explores themes such as oppression, male violence and domestic abuse, which each woman experiences despite living centuries apart. It was a sad reminder of how so much may change, yet some things seem to stay the same and women are still battling against the same things as their ancestors centuries ago. And while this is undoubtedly a feminist book, it isn’t man-hating or a book that calls women to take revenge against men. It is simply telling the truth of what women have experienced and encouraging us to find our strength. After all, we women all have a little bit of witch in us. Thank you, Ms Hart, for the reminder.  

Powerful, witchy, bold and beguiling, Weyward is an astonishing debut not to be missed. 

Rating: ✭✭✭✭✰

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ABOUT THE AUTHOR:

Emilia Hart is a British-Australian writer. She was born in Sydney and studied English Literature and Law at the University of New South Wales before working as a lawyer in Sydney and London. Emilia is a graduate of Curtis Brown Creative’s Three Month Online Novel Writing Course and was Highly Commended in the 2021 Caledonia Novel Award. Her short fiction has been published in Australia and the UK. She lives in London.​

The award-winning WEYWARD was published in 2023, and Emilia’s latest novel, THE SIRENS, will publish in 2025.

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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: The Hungry Dark by Jen Williams

Published April 11th, 2024 by Harper Voyager UK
Thriller, Horror Fiction, Mystery, Suspense, Psychological Thriller, Supernatural Fiction

Welcome to my review of the bone-chilling thriller that’s perfect for Hallowee. Thank you to Harper Voyager for sending me a proof copy of the book in exchange for my honest review.

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ABOUT THE BOOK:
Master of unsettling suspense Jen Williams is back with another chilling, dark read that will draw readers into a gruesome and atmospheric nightmare perfect for Spooky Season

Macabre murders plague a rural town as a scam-artist psychic races to find the answers in this haunting thriller from award-winning author Jen Williams, perfect for fans of C.J. Tudor and Alex North.

‘I was absolutely blown away … I could almost feel myself shivering in the shadow of Red Rigg Fell’ James Oswald

‘Nonstop plotting, richly drawn characters and a masterful touch … Fantastic―in every sense of the word!’ Jeffery Deaver

‘The perfect combination of a twisty thriller and a classic horror tale … Jen Williams is at the top of her game’ Alex Finlay

As a child, Ashley Whitelam was haunted by ghostly figures no one else could see. Silent and watchful, these Heedful Ones followed her wherever she went. She hasn’t seen them for eighteen years, not since that fateful night at Red Rigg House.

But now they’re back, and they’re trying to tell her something.

Children start to disappear across the Lake District and Ashley becomes involved in the investigation, eager for free publicity to promote her work as a psychic. She never expected the collaboration to bear fruit, but when she discovers the body of one of the missing children, everything changes.

The police are convinced that she’s involved with the killings, and the press are hounding her for answers. Desperate to clear her name, she works with true crime podcaster, Freddie Miller, to investigate. As they look deeper into the disappearances, Ashley must dig into the demons of her past, before the nightmare in the present comes for her, too.

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MY REVIEW:

“She saw them every day in the bedroom she shared with her brother, by the bus stop, in her Grandad’s back garden . Silent, shadowy figures that watched her. That no one else could see. The Heedful Ones were her own silent companions.”

Happy Halloween 🎃

I’ve got the perfect spooky season recommendation for you today. Darkly atmospheric, unsettling, eerie and tense, The Hungry Dark  is the epitome of a book you need to read with the lights on. 

Psychic Ashley Whitelam has always seen things that others don’t. It started when she was a child when she was haunted everywhere she went by ghostly figures she called the Heedful Ones. But she hasn’t seen them for eighteen years. Not since the night at Red Rigg House that she can’t bear to think about. But when she collaborates with the police to try and find a boy who has gone missing, Ashley sees the Heedful Ones again and they lead her to the boy’s broken body. Unable to explain how she found it, the police suspect her of being involved in the crimes and Ashely must prove her innocence. 

I’ve been all about the creepy books lately and this one certainly lived up to my spooky-season hopes. It opens with an unsettling prologue, setting the tone for a book that bleeds with chilling suspense and keeps you on the edge of your seat from start to finish. The story is told in dual timelines, the flashbacks slowly revealing what happened at Red Rigg House to leave Ashley so traumatised. While both are compelling, I particularly enjoyed the flashbacks as this is where we get to know Ashley best. You get a real sense of how ‘other’ she felt, the fear that the Headless Ones instil in her, and her present-day family dynamics begin to make sense. In the present I was gripped by the murders and Ashley’s fight to prove her innocence that sees her team up with Freddie to investigate the crimes. They had a compelling dynamic and I liked that we are never sure if he is friend or foe. The Heedful Ones add a terrifying supernatural element that I loved as the tension built to a heart-stopping crescendo that left my jaw on the floor.

Nerve-shredding, spooky and utterly addictive, this is one you don’t want to miss. 

Rating: ✮✮✮✮✰

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ABOUT THE AUTHOR:

Jen Williams is a writer from London currently living in Bristol. A fan of witches and dark folklore from an early age, these days she writes character-driven fantasy novels with plenty of banter and magic as well as horror-tinged crime thrillers with strong female leads. In 2015 she was nominated for Best Newcomer in the British Fantasy Awards. She is represented by Juliet Mushens of Mushens Entertainment.

The Copper Cat trilogy consists of The Copper Promise, The Iron Ghost and The Silver Tide – all published by Headline in the UK – and the first two books in the trilogy are available in the US and Canada, published by Angry Robot. Both The Iron Ghost and The Silver Tide have also been nominated for British Fantasy Awards, and she is partly responsible for founding Super Relaxed Fantasy Club, a social group that meets in London to celebrate a love of fantasy. 

Her second fantasy series, the Winnowing Flame trilogy, kicked off with The Ninth Rain and The Bitter Twins, and ended with The Poison Song in May 2019. The Ninth Rain and The Bitter Twins both went on to win the British Fantasy Award for Best Fantasy Novel in their respective years. The Winnowing Flame trilogy was also published as a special limited edition by The Broken Binding. 

Her first crime novel, Dog Rose Dirt, was published in July 2021 in the UK by HarperCollins, and in the US by Crooked Lane under the title A Dark and Secret Place. This twisty crime thriller has also sold in Germany, Brazil, Poland and Spain. Jen had two novels out in 2023: Talonsister, a return to fantasy published by Titan which went on to win her a third British Fantasy Award, and Games for Dead Girls, a true crime inspired horror novel, published by HarperVoyager. 2024 will see the publication of The Hungry Dark and Titanchild, and in 2025 FirstInk will publish her first YA romantasy, The Sleepless.

Interests outside of reading and writing include drawing and painting, playing video games, and watching cartoons. She has a particular passion for animation, history, bats, mead, horror films, her very blue sofa and fantasy RPGs where you can get dumped by a sexy elf. 

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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: The Whistling by Rebecca Netley

Published October 14th, 2021 by Michael Joseph
Ghost Story, Horror Fiction, Gothic Fiction, Historical Fiction, Suspense, Supernatural Fiction

Welcome to my review for this unsettling gothic thriller. Thank you to Michael Joseph Books for sending me a copy of the book in exchange for my honest review.

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ABOUT THE BOOK:

FEEL SHIVERS DOWN YOUR SPINE WITH THIS CHILLING AND GRIPPING GHOST STORY SET ON A FAR-FLUNG SCOTTISH ISLAND . . .

‘Wonderfully atmospheric, genuinely eerie’ GUARDIAN
‘Gripping, chilling and very, very satisfying’ DAILY MAIL
‘A ghost story that kept me guessing’ SUSAN STOKES-CHAPMAN
‘Perfect for a cold winter’s night’ DAILY MIRROR
‘It will chill you to the bone’ ANITA FRANK
‘If you’re looking for a chilling tale as we head towards Halloween, you’ve found it’ HEAT
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When Elspeth arrives on a remote Scottish island to become nanny to a young child, she hopes to bond with her. Until she learns that, for reasons no one will explain, Mary has not spoken for months.

And the girl’s silence is not the only mystery.

Hypnotic lullabies drift down empty corridors.
Strange dolls appear in abandoned rooms.
And as the nights draw in, darker questions arise . . .

What happened to Mary’s late twin, William? Why did their previous nanny disappear so suddenly?

And is the whistling Elspeth hears at night just the storm outside?

Or is somebody coming for her . . . ?

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MY REVIEW:

As it’s spooky season I decided to finally read The Whistling. It follows Elspeth who has taken up the position of nanny on the remote Scottish island of Skelthsea. Her new charge, Mary, is a troubled child who hasn’t spoken a word since the sudden death of her twin brother, William, and the disappearance of their former nanny. No one will speak of what happened, and in a desperate attempt to help her charge, Elspeth searches for answers. But the islanders remain defiantly silent. And then there’s the strange whistling that Elspeth hears at night. Is the house haunted? Or is there a more human explanation for what’s happening at Iskar House.

Chilling, eerie and unsettling, this gothic tale was definitely a book you need to read in the daytime. I decided to listen to it on audiobook and from the opening pages I was hooked. Skillfully written and expertly choreographed, Rebecca Netley has created a sensational debut. Also woven into the narrative is a heart-rending exploration of loss and grief that adds depth, while the remote setting merges with the atmosphere of unease to create a gloriously ghostly tale.

Elspeth is a fascinating protagonist who was easy to like, while young Mary is a heartbreaking and unsettling youngster that I couldn’t make my mind up about. The background characters are equally compelling and there’s a real sense of this small island closing ranks to protect their own. 

Dark, spine-tingling and addictive, The Whistling is the perfect read for spooky season.

Rating: ✮✮✮✮✰

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ABOUT THE AUTHOR:

Rebecca Netley grew up as part of an eccentric family in a house full of books and music, and these things have fed her passions.

Family and writing remain at the heart of Rebecca’s life. She lives in Reading with her family and an over-enthusiastic dog, who gives her writing tips.

Rebecca is a writer of long and prize-winning short fiction. The Whistling, Rebecca Netley’s debut novel won the Exeter Novel Prize and was longlisted for the Michael Ondaatje Prize. The Whistling has been adapted for stage.

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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: The House in the Cerulean Sea (Cerulean Chronicles, 1) by TJ Klune

Published September 16th, 2021 by Tor
Fantasy Fiction, Contemporary Fantasy, Romantic Fantasy, Fantasy Comedy, Paranormal Fiction, Gay Fiction, Book Series

Welcome to my thoughts on this quirky and mesmerising fantasy. Thank you to Tor UK for sending me a copy of the book in exchange for my honest review.

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ABOUT THE BOOK:

A cosy, enchanting story about the profound experience of discovering an unlikely family in an unexpected place – and realizing that family could be yours. The House in the Cerulean Sea is an uplifting, heart-warming queer fantasy from TJ Klune.

‘I loved it. It is like being wrapped up in a big gay blanket. Simply perfect’ – V. E. Schwab, author of The Invisible Life of Addie LaRue

Linus Baker leads a quiet life. At forty, he has a tiny house with a devious cat and his beloved records for company. And at the Department in Charge of Magical Youth, he’s spent many dull years monitoring their orphanages.

Then one day, Linus is summoned by Extremely Upper Management and given a highly classified assignment. He must travel to an orphanage where six dangerous children reside – including the Antichrist.

At the orphanage, Linus must somehow determine if these children could bring about the end of days. But their guardian, the charming and enigmatic Arthur Parnassus, will do anything to protect his wards. And, as Arthur and Linus grow ever closer, Linus must choose: his duty, or his dreams . . .

A New York Times, USA Today and Washington Post bestseller.

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MY REVIEW:

“A home isn’t always the house we live in. It’s also the people we choose to surround ourselves with.”

A ray of sunshine. A feast for the imagination. A balm for the soul. These are just some of the descriptions that come to mind when I think about The House in the Cerulean Sea. A warm hug in book form, this is a gorgeous and quirky story about found family, the lasting footprints we leave in each other’s lives, and finding the magic in the ordinary. And it captured my heart and soul completely. 

It follows Linus Baker, 40, who lives a solitary life in his small house with only his cat, Calliope, for company. Linus works as a Case Worker for the Department in Charge of Magical Youth, overseeing the well-being of children who live in government-sanctioned orphanages. One morning, Linus is unexpectedly summoned to a meeting by Extremely Upper Management and given a highly classified assignment: travel to and assess Marsyas Island Orphanage to discover if the six dangerous children who live there are going to bring about Armageddon. But these curious children aren’t the only secret being kept on the island and Linus is unprepared for what he is about to discover.

Last month, when I realised that I was about to listen to my 50th audiobook of the year, I knew it had to be something special. So, I decided to continue my journey into TJ Klune’s backlist, choosing this one in anticipation of reading the follow up later this month. I was apprehensive about all the hype, but this extraordinary story did not disappoint. I became an instant fan of Klune when I read Under the Whispering Door earlier this year and this extraordinary story has solidified his status as one of my favourite authors. Klune is a master storyteller and he brought every word and character to life with his beautiful storytelling and richly imagined and evocative descriptions. His stories are guaranteed to brighten your day and this one is a glorious burst of vivid technicolour. But among the brightness and cheer, Klune also weaves more serious topics into the narrative, this time tackling prejudice in its many forms. 

Then there are the characters. What a unique and entertaining motley crew they were. I loved Linus, the honest and sweet protagonist who goes through life mostly unnoticed. Linus is human, but his job involves magical creatures, including the children at the orphanage. Living at Marsyas Island Orphanage are a gnome, a sprite, a wyvern, an unidentifiable green blob, a were-Pomeranian, and the Antichrist. These children are dangerous and have some frightening quirks, but what I loved about them is that they are like any other children at heart. I even found myself having a real soft spot for Lucy, the twisted but undeniably childlike son of the devil himself. Then there is Arthur, the orphan’s caretaker. Arthur is very mysterious and we can tell he’s hiding something which makes it hard to know if we really can trust this charming man. But what we do know is that there is chemistry sizzling between Arthur and Linus, which I loved and I was willing Linus to give into his feelings. Marysasy Island Orphanage and its inhabitants have a profound impact on Linus and change his life for the better. I loved watching Linus blossom from a wallflower into who he was by the end of the book and the beautiful relationships he formed with the other characters. 

Charming, witty, whimsical, heartfelt and uplifting, this mesmerising fantasy is a clear-your-schedule, lock out the world and read in one sitting affair. And that final line! Oh, my heart. I am so glad I only have a few more days until book two. 

Rating: ✮✮✮✮.5

*I listened to this audiobook on Bookbeat. Click here to get 60 days of listening free with my affiliate link.*

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ABOUT THE AUTHOR:

TJ KLUNE is the New York Times and USA Today bestselling, Lambda Literary Award-winning author of The House in the Cerulean Sea, The Extraordinaries, and more. Being queer himself, Klune believes it’s important—now more than ever—to have accurate, positive queer representation in stories.

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Thanks for reading, Bibliophiles xxxx

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BLOG BLAST: The First Day of Spring by Nancy Tucker

Published June 24th, 2021 by Hutchinson Heinmann
Thriller, Suspense, Crime Fiction, Mystery, Psychological Fiction

Welcome to my review for this extraordinary debut. Thank you to Tracy at Compulsive Readers Tours for the invitation to take part in the blog blast and to Hutchinson Heinmann for sending me a copy of the book in exchange for my honest review.

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ABOUT THE BOOK:

‘So that was all it took,’ I thought. ‘That was all it took for me to feel like I had all the power in the world. One morning, one moment, one yellow-haired boy. It wasn’t so much after all.’

Chrissie knows how to steal sweets from the shop without getting caught, the best hiding place for hide-and-seek, the perfect wall for handstands.

Now she has a new secret. It gives her a fizzing, sherbet feeling in her belly. She doesn’t get to feel power like this at home, where food is scarce and attention scarcer.

Fifteen years later, Julia is trying to mother her five-year-old daughter, Molly. She is always worried – about affording food and school shoes, about what the other mothers think of her. Most of all she worries that the social services are about to take Molly away.

That’s when the phone calls begin, which Julia is too afraid to answer, because it’s clear the caller knows the truth about what happened all those years ago.

And it’s time to face the truth: is forgiveness and redemption ever possible for someone who has killed?

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MY REVIEW:

‘So that was all it took,’ I thought. ‘That was all it took for me to feel like I had all the power in the world. One morning, one moment, one yellow-haired boy. It wasn’t so much after all.’

Eight-year-old Chrissie knows she’s a bad seed. After all, everyone is always telling her so. But now she has a secret no one else knows. Something that makes her feel powerful and gives her a fizzing, sherbert feeling in her belly: she’s the one who killed two-year-old Steven. 
Fifteen years later, Julia is trying to be the best mother she can be to five-year-old Molly. Julia worries about everything. But most of all she worries that her past will return to haunt her and social services will take her daughter away. 

“I killed a little boy today.”

When a book starts with a sentence like that it grabs your attention from the start. And this one never let me go. Profoundly dark, unsettling, harrowing and moving, The First Day of Spring is an extraordinary debut. Based on the real-life crimes of Mary Bell, a child convicted of killing two children in the sixties and was later released from prison with a new identity, Nancy Tucker skillfully explores the disturbing psyche of a child killer, asking if some people are born evil, and if forgiveness and redemption are ever possible for someone who kills. This deeply uncomfortable read is a story of murder, toxic families, neglect, poverty, trauma, and the shades of grey that exist between the black and white of morality. Tucker is an exceptional storyteller whose writing is compelling, perceptive, compassionate and menacing. Every word oozes darkness, malice, suffering, pain, and pent-up rage. But there is also helplessness, fragility, sadness and desperation woven in, creating a jarring contrast of emotions that will simultaneously send shivers down your spine and tug on your heart strings. This book broke me. I haven’t stopped thinking about it and I know it will stay with me forever. 

“I liked it that way. It meant I got to be a killer but I also got days off from being a killer. Because being a killer was quite a tiring thing to be.”

Tucker has created a cast of seriously complex characters for this book. They are damaged people trying to survive their hard lives, often resorting to desperate measures, and remind us that no-one is ever all good or all bad. Chrissie is a character I will never forget. She has never known love or affection, she’s always hungry, her clothes are dirty and tatty, and no-one ever wants her around. She is all-too aware that her life is unfair and she’s seething about it. It makes her vindictive and she lashes out at other children, bullying them in an attempt to seize back some power and control. It was devastating to read and my heart broke for her. But, equally, being immersed inside young Chrissie’s mind was a chilling and disturbing experience, something which was enhanced by the juxtaposition of her angry, sinister thoughts and her childish innocence. To me, it felt obvious that her terrible actions were those of a desperate, lost and mixed-up child crying out for love and attention rather than someone who was evil. Though that doesn’t mean I don’t condemn her actions, because I do.

“Because any kid who stayed with me would grow up a jigsaw of rotted, crumbling parts.”

Julia is a very different character.  Anxious, anguished and emotionally scarred, she’s haunted by guilt and feels undeserving of happiness. But, first and foremost, Julia is a mother who loves her daughter, Molly, so much that she hates being separated from her even while she’s at school. She’s determined to be a good mother even though she has no example from her own mother, who was neglectful, uninterested and abusive. I was proud of Julia for refusing to continue this cycle, as it would have been easy to be a bad mother and make excuses. Julia is a bundle of nerves and worries about everything from how she will afford tonight’s tea to if the school mums like her. But the thing she worries about most is losing custody of her daughter. My heart broke for her and I was rooting for her as she really was remorseful and trying her best.

“People kept forgetting me. It wasn’t good enough.”

Darkly atmospheric, intense, haunting, affecting and thought-provoking, this book left me speechless. I loved it but felt totally hollowed out once it was over. This is an easy five stars from me and I’m sure it will be in my top reads of the year. Highly recommended. 

Rating: ✮✮✮✮✮

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ABOUT THE AUTHOR:

Nancy Tucker was born and raised in West London. She spent most of her adolescence in and out of hospital suffering from anorexia nervosa. On leaving school, she wrote her first book, THE TIME IN BETWEEN (Icon, 2015) which explored her experience of eating disorders and recovery. Her second book, THAT WAS WHEN PEOPLE STARTED TO WORRY (Icon, 2018), looked more broadly at mental illness in young women.

Nancy recently graduated from Oxford University with a degree in Experimental Psychology. Since then she has worked in an inpatient psychiatric unit for children and adolescents and in adult mental health services. She now works as an assistant psychologist in an adult eating disorders service. The First Day of Spring is her first work of fiction.

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Thanks for reading, Bibliophiles xxxx

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

SKELF SUMMER: Black Hearts (The Skelfs, 4) by Doug Johnstone

Published September 22nd, 2022 by Orenda
Thriller, Mystery, Suspense, Crime Ficiton, Urban Fiction, Crime Series, Religious Fiction, Lesbian Literature

Welcome to my review of the outrageous and addictive Black Hearts which I’m sharing as part of Skelf Summer. Thanks to Orenda Books for the invitation to take part and sending me a copy of the book in exchange for my honest review.

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ABOUT THE BOOK:

A faked death, an obsessive stalker, an old man claiming he’s being abused by the ghost of his late wife, and a devastating spectre from the past. The Skelfs are back in another warmly funny, explosive thriller, and this time things are more than personal…
 
**SHORTLISTED for Theakston Old Peculier Crime Novel of the Year**

‘A new outing for the Skelfs deserves dancing in the streets of Edinburgh’ Val McDermid
 
‘Tense, funny and deeply moving’ Mark Billingham
 
‘An engrossing and beautifully written tale that bears all the Doug Johnstone hallmarks in its warmth and darkly comic undertones’ Herald Scotland

‘A total delight to be returned to the dark, funny, compulsive world of the Skelfs … Johnstone never fails to entertain whilst packing a serious emotional punch. Brilliant!’ Gytha Lodge

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Death is just the beginning…

The Skelf women live in the shadow of death every day, running the family funeral directors and private investigator business in Edinburgh. But now their own grief interwines with that of their clients, as they are left reeling by shocking past events.

A fist-fight by an open grave leads Dorothy to investigate the possibility of a faked death, while a young woman’s obsession with Hannah threatens her relationship with Indy and puts them both in mortal danger. An elderly man claims he’s being abused by the ghost of his late wife, while ghosts of another kind come back to haunt Jenny from the grave … pushing her to breaking point.

As the Skelfs struggle with increasingly unnerving cases and chilling danger lurks close to home, it becomes clear that grief, in all its forms, can be deadly…

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MY REVIEW:

Skelf Summer continues with the fourth instalment in the series, and its the tensest one yet with a fist fight by an open grave, an investigation into a possible faked death, a widow who claims his late wife’s ghost is physically harming him, Hannah is being stalked and Jenny is pushed to breaking point by a ghost from her past. 

Chaotic, taut, immersive, and darkly funny, Black Heart packs a punch. Doug Johnstone gets better with each book and this was my favourite of the series so far. This is domestic noir at its finest, but with a scientific slant. Johnstone’s expert writing is filled with humanity, insightfulness, suspense and black humour that feels magnetic, drawing us into the strange and crazy world of the Skelf women. And, this time around, life for Dorothy, Jenny and Hannah is more turbulent than ever. I love reading about these extraordinary women and their unorthodox careers and how their jobs get more dangerous and bizarre with each book, keeping me glued to the pages and on tenterhooks as I read. But one of my favourite things about this series is the depth and introspection that is woven into the stories, adding a more serious and emotional layer that I love.

Atmospheric, entertaining and outrageous, Black Hearts is a must-read for all thriller lovers. And while it can be read as a standalone, I’d highly recommend reading the whole series. After all, who doesn’t want to read gripping thrillers about three compelling and brave women running a funeral business while also working as PIs. 

Rating: ✮✮✮✮✰

*I listened to this on Bookbeat. Click here to get 60 days of listening for free*

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ABOUT THE AUTHOR:

Doug Johnstone is the author of Fourteen novels, includingThe Great Silence, the third in the Skelfs series, which has been optioned for  In 2021, The Big Chill, the second in the series, was longlisted for the Theakston’s Old Peculier Crime Novel of the Year. In 2020, A Dark Matter, the first in the series, was shortlisted for the McIlvanney Prize for Scottish Crime Novel of the Year and the Capital Crime Amazon Publishing Independent Voice Book of the Year award. Black Hearts (Book four), was published in 2022, with The Opposite of Lonely (book five) out in 2023. Several of his books have been bestsellers and award winners, and his first science fiction novel, The Space Between Us, was a BBC2 Between the Covers pick. He’s taught creative writing, been writer in residence at various institutions, and has been an arts journalist for twenty years. Doug is a songwriter and musician with five albums and three EPs released, and he plays drums for the Fun Lovin’ Crime Writers. He lives in Edinburgh.

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Beat the Backlist book reviews Emma's Anticipated Treasures Most Anticipated 2023 Squadpod Squadpod Featured Books

SQUADPOD FEATURED BOOK: Talking at Night by Claire Daverley

Published June 6th, 2023 by Michael Joseph
Romance Novel, Contemporary Romance, Domestic Fiction, New Adult Ficiton, Coming-of-Age Story

Here’s my bookish thoughts on Talking at Night, the heartwarming debut which was one of our SquadPod Featured Books in July. Thank you to Michael Joseph for sending me a copy of the book in exchange for my honest review.

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ABOUT THE BOOK:

THE LOVE STORY THAT WILL KEEP YOU AWAKE AT NIGHT


‘A beautiful love story. I devoured it’ JOJO MOYES
Gave me One Day vibes’ LIBBY PAGE
‘Basically impossible to put down’ BOBBY PALMER
‘Deeply romantic’ LAURA BARNETT
‘Beautiful and very clever’ FEARNE COTTON

‘Stunning, tender and true’ GOOD HOUSEKEEPING SUMMER READING
INCLUDED IN THE INDEPENDENT’S ‘BEST ROMANTIC SUMMER READS’

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Will and Rosie meet as teenagers.

They’re opposites in every way. She overthinks everything; he is her twin brother’s wild and unpredictable friend. But over secret walks home and late-night phone calls, they become closer – destined to be one another’s great love story.

Until, one day, tragedy strikes, and their future together is shattered.

But as the years roll on, Will and Rosie can’t help but find their way back to each other. Time and again, they come close to rekindling what might have been.

What do you do when the one person you should forget is the one you just can’t let go?

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MY REVIEW:

Tender, heartfelt and affecting, Talking at Night is a deeply beautiful love story. It follows Rosie and Will, who meet as teenagers and have an instant connection. The pair are total opposites: Rosie is the stereotypical ‘good girl’ and overthinks everything, and Will is the wild and unpredictable best friend of her twin brother. It is clear from the start that this is more than teenage infatuation, but, before their relationship gets the chance to start, tragedy strikes, destroying any chance of a future together. What follows is a memorable will they/won’t they love story that will make even the most cynical person believe in soulmates.

Oh, my heart. I’d heard that this book was emotional but I was still unprepared for how it wreaked havoc on my emotions. Debut author Claire Daverley’s writing is simple but beautiful, allowing the characters and the story to shine in her exploration of love, friendship, loss and grief. Achingly human, acutely observed, and deeply moving, this character-driven romance has much more depth than your average, lighthearted love story. Real love isn’t all hearts and rainbows, and Daverley isn’t afraid to show that, exploring the flawed, painful side of love alongside the joy and laughter. But those things are still there. After all, this is a story about true love; that  all-consuming, red-hot, soulful love that is impossible to resist. It feels like a very fresh and modern romance, revealing how bittersweet love can be. After all, the path to true love rarely runs smooth, and it’s certainly a bumpy journey for Rosie and Will. But will it be worth it in the end?

Rosie and Will are very real, three-dimensional characters who I found likeable and relatable. Their romance gets off to a rocky start after a tragedy and we wonder if they will ever truly find their way back to one another. They try not to, seeing other people and severing contact on and off over the years, but they can never forget each other or completely let go and always find themselves drawn back together. We go on this journey with them, Daverley opening them up and revealing their innermost thoughts and feelings. And I felt every emotion alongside them, leaving me wrung out but heartened when it was all over. 

Passionate, poignant, heartwarming and compelling, Talking at Night is a glorious debut you won’t forget. Highly recommended.

Rating: ✮✮✮✮✰

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MEET THE AUTHOR:

Claire Daverley was born in 1991 and has been writing stories ever since she was six years old.

After graduating with a degree in Fine Art from The University of Oxford, she began a career in publishing, writing about books by day, but penning her own by night, on trains and in the light of the early mornings.

She has spent most of her life in Hertfordshire, but now lives in Scotland by the sea with her husband and spaniel.

Her debut novel, Talking at Night, has sold in twenty-four countries to date.

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BUY THE BOOK:

Waterstones* | Bookshop.org* | Amazon*
*these are affiliate links

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Thanks for reading, Bibliophiles xxxxx

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

SKELF SUMMER: The Great Silence (The Skelfs, 3) by Doug Johnstone

Published August 19th, 2021 by Orenda
Thriller, Mystery, Crime Fiction, Suspense, Noir Fiction, Crime Series, Romance Novel, Urban Fiction

Welcome to my review for the witty, riveting and suspenseful, The Great Silence, which is the third book in the Skelfs series and my third Skelf Summer Post. Thank yout to Orenda for the invitation to take part and for sending me a copy of the book in exchange for my honest review.

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ABOUT THE BOOK:

The discovery of a human foot in an Edinburgh park, the inexplicable circumstances of a dying woman, and the missing daughter of Jenny’s violent ex-husband present the Skelf women with their most challenging – and deadly – cases yet… Book THREE in the addictive The Skelfs series!

‘Simply stunning. Tense, funny and deeply moving’ Mark Billingham

‘If you loved Iain Banks, you’ll devour the Skelfs series’ Erin Kelly

‘Nobody portrays modern Edinburgh better than Doug Johnstone. The Great Silence speaks volumes about the power of story’ Val McDermid

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Keeping on top of the family funeral directors’ and private-investigation businesses is no easy task for the Skelf women, and when matriarch Dorothy discovers a human foot while walking the dog, a perplexing case presents itself … with potentially deadly results.

Daughter Jenny and grand-daughter Hannah have their hands full too: The mysterious circumstances of a dying woman lead them into an unexpected family drama, Hannah’s new astrophysicist colleague claims he’s receiving messages from outer space, and the Skelfs’ teenaged lodger has yet another devastating experience.

Nothing is clear as the women are immersed ever deeper in their most challenging cases yet. But when the daughter of Jenny’s violent and fugitive ex-husband goes missing without trace and a wild animal is spotted roaming Edinburgh’s parks, real danger presents itself, and all three Skelfs are in peril.

Taut, dark, warmly funny and unafraid to ask big questions – of us all – The Great Silence is the much-anticipated third instalment in the addictive, unforgettable Skelfs series, and the stakes are higher than ever.

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MY REVIEW:

“The monsters in our lives don’t look like monsters, horns and slavering fangs. The worst deeds in the world are done by people who look like any of us.”

In the third instalment of the outstanding Skelfs Series, they face their most challenging and unusual cases yet: a human foot is discovered in a park, a dying woman whose children are convinced she’s being poisoned by her lover, alien messages, a wild animal roaming Edinburgh’s parks, and the disappearance of the daughter of Jenny’s violent ex-husband. 

Suspenseful, twisting and completely addictive, The Great Silence is another outstanding return to Edinburgh and the Skefl women. I’ve never read a series back-to-back like this so I was a bit concerned about getting fatigued from reading the same characters, but I needn’t have worried because Doug Johnstone ups his game with each book, creating a novel that is even better than the last with each instalment. I can’t get enough of this series and my new concern is what I’m going to do when I’ve read book six and I’ve got a long wait for the next one!

One of my favourite things about this series is that it has a bit of everything: family drama with a twist of science, a dash of romance, lots of emotion, and an abundance of suspense. Johnstone also explores more serious issues such as prejudice, domestic abuse, alcoholism and climate control, seamlessly weaving them into the narrative alongside the heart-stopping tension and mystery. This time around the cases are a bit more unusual and bizarre, and the tension has been dialled all the way up to ten, keeping me glued to the pages and on the edge of my seat from beginning to end. I also loved that now I’m three books in, I’ve got to know the Skelf women, so reading these books  is like catching up with old friends – albeit friends with very turbulent lives and unconventional jobs. 

Dark, witty, suspenseful and totally riveting, The Great Silence, and all of the Skelfs Series, are a must-read. 

Rating: ✮✮✮✮✰

*I listened to this on Bookbeat. Click here to get 60 days of listening free with my affiliate link*

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ABOUT THE AUTHOR:

Doug Johnstone is the author of Fourteen novels, includingThe Great Silence, the third in the Skelfs series, which has been optioned for  In 2021, The Big Chill, the second in the series, was longlisted for the Theakston’s Old Peculier Crime Novel of the Year. In 2020, A Dark Matter, the first in the series, was shortlisted for the McIlvanney Prize for Scottish Crime Novel of the Year and the Capital Crime Amazon Publishing Independent Voice Book of the Year award. Black Hearts (Book four), was published in 2022, with The Opposite of Lonely (book five) out in 2023. Several of his books have been bestsellers and award winners, and his first science fiction novel, The Space Between Us, was a BBC2 Between the Covers pick. He’s taught creative writing, been writer in residence at various institutions, and has been an arts journalist for twenty years. Doug is a songwriter and musician with five albums and three EPs released, and he plays drums for the Fun Lovin’ Crime Writers. He lives in Edinburgh.

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BUY THE BOOK:

Orenda Books | Bookshop.org* | Waterstones* | Amazon*
*These are affiliate lnks

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Thanks for reading, Bibliophiles xxxx

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Beat the Backlist book reviews

BOOK REVIEW: The Last Mrs Parrish by Liv Constantine

Published October 17th, 2017 by Harper Collins UK
Thriller, Suspense, Psychological Thriller, Romance Novel

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ABOUT THE BOOK:

A Reese Witherspoon book club pick!

Perfect for fans of B. A. Paris, Shari Lapena and Liane Moriarty

How far would you go to make all your dreams come true?

Amber Patterson is tired of being a nobody: an invisible woman who melts into the background. She deserves more. She deserves a life of wealth, luxury and leisure.

Daphne Parrish is the golden girl of Bishops Harbor, Connecticut. With her model looks, her picture-perfect mansion and her millionaire husband, Jackson, she has everything Amber wants.

Amber’s envy could eat her alive—if she didn’t have a plan. Before long, she has become Daphne’s closest friend, and is catching the eye of Jackson. But a skeleton from her past could destroy everything, and if discovered, Amber’s well-laid plan may end in disaster…

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MY REVIEW:

The Last Mrs Parrish has been sitting languishing on my shelf for many years. It’s one of those much-hyped books I loved the sound of but was also scared to read in case it didn’t live up to the hype. But when the SquadPod were offered the chance to read its follow up, The Next Mrs Parrish, as one of our August SquadPod Featured Books, I realised it was time to finally dive in.

This was one crazy rollercoaster ride! I now get the hype. Sassy, seductive, tense and unpredictable, I couldn’t put this down and was trying to keep my eyes open with matchsticks so I could keep reading well into the night. I needed answers! There’s deception, secrets, power, envy, greed, and revenge. And a creeping malice that lingers on every page of this deliciously escapist thriller. Liv Constantine have crafted a story that is skilfully written, cleverly plotted, and filled with so many twists, turns and red herrings that I got book whiplash. How on earth is this a debut? I was on the edge of my seat, completely in Constantine’s thrall until the very last page. And that ending! Sheer perfection. 

The story centres around two women: Amber Patterson and Daphne Parrish. Amber is tired of being a nobody. She knows that she deserves a life of fortune, opulence and leisure where others cater to her every whim. Daphne Parrish has that life. She’s beautiful, married to Jackson, a gorgeous millionaire, and lives a life of luxury in a dream house. And Amber is going to take it. She hatches a plan: befriending Daphne and becoming her best friend so that she can get closer to Jackson Parrish and make him fall for her charms. These two protagonists may become best friends, but they are very different. Amber has a chip on her shoulder, feels like the world owes her the kind of life she dreams of, and is ruthless in her pursuit of it. A femme fatale who uses her feminine wiles to get what she wants, doesn’t think twice about lying, and has no regard for who she hurts along the way, Amber is a deeply unlikable but undeniably captivating character. Then we have Daphne. Daphne lives a life of luxury that most of us can only imagine, is one half of a golden couple with the kind of marriage others look up to, and lives in a picture-perfect mansion. She is also genuine and kind, and what matters to her most is the foundation she runs in memory of her sister, Julie, who died of CF. I really liked Daphne but felt so bad for her. She believed Amber was her best friend and was completely unaware she was swimming in shark-infested waters and was about to be devoured. I wanted to jump into the book and warn her. 

Devilishly atmospheric, addictive and outrageous, don’t miss this heart-stopping thriller. 

Rating: ✮✮✮✮✰

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ABOUT THE AUTHORS:

Liv Constantine is the pen name of sisters Lynne Constantine and Valerie Constantine. Lynne and Valerie are New York Times, Wall Street Journal, and USA Today international bestselling authors with over one and a half million copies sold worldwide. They are Library Reads Hall of Fame authors.  Their books have been translated into 29 languages, are available in 34 countries, and are in development for both television and film.  Their books have been praised by The Washington Post, USA Today, The Sunday Times, People Magazine, and Good Morning America, among many others. Their debut novel, THE LAST MRS. PARRISH, is a Reese Witherspoon Book Club selection.

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BUY THE BOOK:

Bookshop.org* | Waterstones* | Amazon*
*These are affiliate links

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Thanks for reading, Bibliophiles xxxx

Categories
Beat the Backlist book reviews Emma's Anticipated Treasures Most Anticipated 2024

BOOK REVIEW: Thorn in My Side (Sweetpea Series, 4) by C. J. Skuse

Published January 4th, 2024 by HQ
Thriller, Mystery, Dark Comedy, Suspense, Crime Fiction, Crime Series

Welcome to my review for this outrageous thriller. Thank you to HQ for sending me an eBook proof copy of the book in exchange for my honest review.

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ABOUT THE BOOK:

Sweetpea soon to be a major TV series starring Ella Purnell

Everyone’s favourite serial killer is back, and she’s more unpredictable than ever…

Readers LOVE Thorn in My Side

‘Perfect for fans of a snarky narrative’ NetGalley reviewer ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

‘I absolutely loved it’ NetGalley reviewer ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

Sometimes, you can be your own worst enemy…

Rhiannon Lewis thought she finally had it all: thanks to the pandemic she’s had to keep a much lower profile but has found happiness with her fiancé Rafael and his family. For once, she is surrounded by people who love her for who she is (or who they think she is).

After over 800 days without murdering anyone, the woman formerly known as the Sweetpea Killer thinks she might have finally turned over a new leaf.

That is until her soon-to-be sister-in-law has a run in with her abusive ex, and Rhiannon rediscovers her taste for revenge. This time, with a loving family in tow, the stakes are much higher. Wedded bliss and life as a normal person are finally within Rhiannon’s reach, but you can never keep a good serial killer down.

Can you?

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MY REVIEW:

“Entering my villain era? Well I never really left it. Did I?”

I’d been in a real reading slump lately so I decided I needed a comfort read. So, obviously, I turned to my favourite serial killer, Rhiannon Lewis, and read the fourth instalment in the fabulous Sweetpea Series. 

Rhiannon Lewis has a new name and a new life in sunny San Diego. The pandemic has meant she’s had to keep a lower profile but she’s been happy to just enjoy life with her hunky fiance Raf and his family. She is finally surrounded by love and people who accept her. But it is bittersweet as they only know Ophelia, the new person she created after fleeing the UK. She longs to be accepted and loved as Rhiannon, despite her terrible past deeds. But she’s turned over a new leaf. It’s been over 800 days since her last kill and she’s finally found peace in her chaotic life. But that all comes crashing down when her sister-in-law has a run in with her abusive ex and Rhiannon’s taste for revenge is sparked once again…

C. J. Skuse has knocked it out of the park once again with this outrageous, fierce, scathing, and darkly funny thriller. Sweetpea became one of my favourite books of all time when I first read it back in 2019 and has become an auto-buy series and go-to thriller recommendation. So, I had high hopes for book four, which was everything I’d hoped for and more. Skuse’s writing is dark, witty, sharply observed and peppered with random cultural references that add to the comedy. I switched to the audiobook for this book and it was brilliantly narrated, taking everything up a notch and I devoured it whole.

“I only write when I need to bleed out the daily frustrations life as a serial killer affords me and I haven’t needed to, see?
Until now.”

Oh, how I love Rhiannon. And I guarantee you will too. Feisty, coarse, sarcastic and filled with pent-up rage, she’s a murderess with a beating heart and an ink-black sense of humour who does the things we’ve dreamed of in our darkest moments. But she’s a lot less murdery this time around as Skuse delves deeper into her history, untangling more of Rhiannon’s complex emotions, trauma and fears. This Rhiannon is more relatable than ever, longs for a normal life with her husband, and is trying to put away her murderous thoughts. She longs to be loved for who she really is but knows that revealing her true identity is dangerous and pretty much a sure-fire route to rejection. And prison. My heart broke for her as she wrestled with this dilemma but I was secretly rooting for her to give in to those urges and start teaching lessons that needed to be learned. And, of course, she still has that warped but laugh-out-loud funny inner monologue that I can’t resist. 

Twisted, macabre, hilarious and heartfelt, Thorn In My Side is another addictive instalment in an original series not to be missed. And that ending! I need book five now! Here’s hoping HQ grants my Netgalley wish. 

Rhiannon will be coming to your TV screens this autumn, so pick up the whole Sweetpea series now and read the book before watching the show. After all, I’m excited to watch Rhiannon come to life, but the book is always better. 

Rating: ✮✮✮✮✮

*I listened to this on Bookbeat. Click here to get 60 days of listening free with my affiliate link*

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ABOUT THE AUTHOR:

C.J. SKUSE is the author of the Young Adult novels PRETTY BAD THINGS, ROCKOHOLIC, DEAD ROMANTIC, MONSTER and THE DEVIANTS and the adult crime thrillers THE ALIBI GIRL and the SWEETPEA series of books. C.J. was born in 1980 in Weston-super-Mare, England and has First Class degrees in Creative Studies in English and Writing for Children and, aside from writing novels, works as a Senior Lecturer in Creative Writing.

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BUY THE BOOK:

Bookshop.org* | Waterstones* | Amazon*
*These are affiliate links

********

Thanks for reading, Bibliophiles xxxx