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Audio Books book reviews Emma's Anticipated Treasures

BOOK REVIEW: The Austen Christmas Murders by Jessica Bull

Published November 13th, 2025 by Michael Joseph
Mystery, Historical Fiction, Historical Mystery, Crime Fiction, Book Series, Holiday Fiction, Festive Fiction, Regency Romance

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ABOUT THE BOOK:

TIS THE SEASON FOR MERRIMENT AND MYSTERIES…MISS AUSTEN INVESTIGATES A MURDER AT CHRISTMAS!

A witty, heartwarming Christmas mystery – perfect for fans of Jane Austen and classic whodunnits

‘So sharply observed, yet fresh, funny and a joy to read’ Jennie Godfrey

‘Comforting and cosy… the perfect book to read for Jane Austen’s upcoming 250th birthday’ 5***** reader review

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I sincerely hope your Christmas may abound in the mysteries which the season generally brings…

The festive season is fast approaching.

Jane Austen fears that without her lively siblings at home, there won’t be much Christmas cheer in the Austen household this year.

But when she uncovers a skeleton in the cellar of Deane Parsonage, Jane soon forgets her woes. For who needs merriment, when there’s a mystery to solve?

Jane quickly learns of a missing young bride, who after fleeing her wedding breakfast, was never seen again. Locals have long believed she haunts the woods nearby. Could Jane have found her at last?

Or does the truth of this mystery lie closer to home?

Over the twelve days of Christmas, Jane will embark upon festive delights, making merry, and solving murders…

BUY HERE

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MY REVIEW:

Today marks the 250th birthday of arguably one of England’s greatest authors: Jane Austen. I’ve long been a fan of Jane’s books, so, to celebrate her momentous birthday, I’m sharing my review of The Austen Christmas Murders, the Christmas Novella in the Miss Austen Investigates series.

Hampshire, 1798.  Jane is worried how jolly this Christmas will be without most of her siblings at home for the festivities this year. But her worries about Christmas are  pushed aside when a partially mummified body is found in the cellar of Deane Parsonage. Jane sets out to uncover their identity, believing it could be the body of Mary Ellen Portal, known locally as ‘the runaway bride’ after she vanished shortly after her wedding sixteen years earlier. But others, including Mary Ellen’s own family, aren’t convinced. And Jane knows she will need real evidence to prove the body’s identity one and for all. 

I’m loving the recent trend of re-imagining famous authors of the past as amateur sleuths, and this year I’ve loved discovering the Miss Austen Investigates series. Jane is one of my favourite amateur sleuths, and I have a hard time believing that these books are anything but an accurate representation of Jane’s life. It just has to be true! All jokes aside, Jessica Bull has crafted a series and a heroine that is richly imagined, expertly written, skillfully choreographed and perfectly paced. The research is detailed and the stories are sharply observed. Meanwhile, Jane is a witty, intelligent, determined feminist icon who is now one of my favourite characters to read. 

Comforting, cosy, mysterious and full of heart, this festive whodunnit is the perfect addition to your Christmas TBR.

Rating: 🎄🎄🎄🎄

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ABOUT THE AUTHOR:

Jessica Bull lives in South East London with her husband, two daughters, and far too many pets. She’s addicted to stories and studied English Literature at Bristol University, and Information Science at City University, London. She began her career as a librarian (under the false impression she could sit and read all day), before becoming a communications consultant.

Her debut novel, MISS AUSTEN INVESTIGATES, sold to Penguin Michael Joseph at auction for six figures, is published in 18 territories worldwide and was shortlisted for the Crime Writer’s Association ILP John Creasey First Novel Dagger. The second book in her Jane Austen murder mystery series, second A FORTUNE MOST FATAL, was published in March 2025 and the third, THE AUSTEN CHRISTMAS MURDERS, will be published in November 2025.

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Thanks for reading, Bibliophiles xxxx

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Blog Tours book reviews Emma's Anticipated Treasures

BOOK REVIEW: Blackwater by Sarah Sultoon

Published December 4th, 2025 by Orenda Books
Mystery, Thriller, Suspense, Noir Fiction, Hardboiled, Political Thriller

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ABOUT THE BOOK:

The world is counting down to the millennium – and to disaster. When a child’s body is found on a remote island east of London, journalist Jonny Murphy is sent to investigate. What he uncovers is more than a tragedy. It’s a warning. Something catastrophic is coming … and Jonny might be the only one who can stop it.

‘A propulsive, atmospheric thriller that ratchets up the tension with every page’ TM Logan

‘A powerhouse writer’ Jo Spain

‘Cleverly layered and beautifully atmospheric … Sarah Sultoon has become an auto-buy author for me’ Kia Abdullah

‘The clock ticks down towards a fantastic payoff … Abandoned islands, thrilling chases, investigative journalists – what more could you want?’ Holly Watt

––––

They feared the machines. 

They should have feared the people…

London, Christmas 1999. The world is on edge. With the new millennium just days away, fears of the Millennium Bug are spiralling – warnings of computer failures, market crashes, even global catastrophe. But fifty miles east, on the frozen Blackwater Island, a different kind of mystery unfolds. A child’s body is discovered on the bracken, untouched by footprints, with no sign of how he died. And no one has come forward to claim him.

At the International Tribune, reporter Jonny Murphy senses something is off. Police are appealing for relatives, not suspects. An anonymous call led officers to the scene, but no one knows who made it. While the world fixates on a digital apocalypse, Jonny sees the real disaster unfolding closer to home. With just twenty-hour hours before the century turns, he heads to Blackwater – driven by curiosity, desperation, and the sting of rejection from his colleague Paloma.

But Blackwater has secrets buried deep in the frozen ground. More victims – some dead, others still paying for past sins. And when Paloma catches up to him, they stumble onto something far bigger than either of them imagined. Something that could change everything. The millennium is coming. The clock is ticking. Can Jonny stop it? Should he?

And what if Y2K wasn’t a hoax, but a warning…?

buy here

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MY REVIEW:

Christmas, 1999. A young child’s body is discovered  in the black mud on Blackwater Island. The island is a protected nature reserve and is supposedly uninhabited. So how did the child get here? How did he die? And, most strangely, why has no one come forward to claim him? Suspicious of why the police are appealing for relatives but not suspects, journalist Jonny Murphy travels to Blackwater, a place mired in myth and legend, to investigate. He meets DC Gillian Peters, the only permanently placed officer in the area, who is overworked and understaffed. Residents talk about a ghost who haunts the island, which is a place mired in myth and legend. But Jonny’s investigations soon lead him to evidence of a much more human crime and to decades-old secrets that threaten to be exposed.

Suspenseful, sharp, intelligent and totally addictive, I flew through this heart-pounding thriller in just two sittings. It was impossible to put down as Sarah Sultoon once again delivered a skilfully written story of secrets, mystery and cover-ups. It jumps straight in with both feet and never misses a beat, taking you on a fast-paced rollercoaster ride full of crazy twists and surprising revelations. I loved that I never knew where it would go next and how Ms. Sultoon kept me on my toes until the last page.

The dawn of a new century and the millennium bug are as important to this story as the mystery of the little boy’s death. The two storylines are intricately interwoven, all the enigma of who the boy is and what happened to him merging with the chaos and fear that surrounds the impending turn of the millennium. Do you remember where you were on New Year’s Eve 1999 and the Y2K/millenium bug hysteria? I remember it all vividly. So, this was nostalgic for me, transporting me back to the craziness and uncertainty of what would happen when the clock struck midnight. Sultoon perfectly captures those feelings, creating a sense of foreboding that is palpable.

Sense of place is important to this story and Ms. Sultoon has created a place that is dark, mythical, mysterious, claustrophobic and vibrates with the secrets it’s keeping. It gave me chills and its strange and secretive residents only added to the eerie atmosphere it exuded. I’d not want to be there at night and my heart raced as Jonny and his colleague, Paloma, investigated. I was rooting for them, and Gillian, to solve the mystery and enjoyed reading them. I also enjoyed the background characters and loved that we were never sure who the villain was right up until the very end. 

A clever and gripping thriller that will have you hooked, I highly recommend this one.

Rating: ✮✮✮✮✰

Thank you to Anne at Random Things Tours for the invitation to take part in this blog tour and to Orenda for sending me a copy of the book in exchnage for my honest review.

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ABOUT THE AUTHOR:

Sarah Sultoon is an award-winning journalist and writer, whose work as an international news executive with CNN and for Channel 4 News has taken her all over the world, from the seats of power in both Westminster and Washington to the frontlines of Iraq and Afghanistan. Her debut thriller, The Source, was a Capital Crime Book Club pick, won the Crime Fiction Lover Best Debut Award, was nominated for the CWA’s New Blood Dagger, was a number one bestseller on Kindle and is currently in production with Lime Pictures. It was followed by the critically acclaimed The Shot, Dirt and Death Flight.

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Thanks for reaading, Bibliophiles xxxxx

Please check out the reviews from the other bloggers taking part in the tour.

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Audio Books Beat the Backlist book reviews Squadpod Squadpod Book Club Squadpod Featured Books Squadpod Recommends

SQUADPOD BOOK CLUB: The Christmas Book Club by Sarah Morgan

Published October 23rd, 2023 by HQ
Romance Novel, Contemporary Romance, Domestic Fiction, Festive Fiction, Christmas Story

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ABOUT THE BOOK:

Could this Christmas be the start of a whole new chapter?

A long-lasting friendship

Every year, Erica, Claudia, and Anna reunite for their book club holiday. They’re bonded by years of friendship and a deep love of books, but there is still so much they keep from each other…

A perfect Christmas escape

At the cosy Maple Sugar Inn, Hattie specialises in making her guests’ dreams come true, but this Christmas all she wants is to survive the festive season. Between running the inn and being a single mother, Hattie is close to breaking point.

The start of a brand-new story…?

Over the course of an eventful week, Hattie sees that the friends are each carrying around unspoken truths, but nothing prepares her for how deeply her story will become entwined in theirs. Will this Christmas be the end of the book club’s story or the start of a whole new chapter?

BUY HERE

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MY REVIEW:

Every year, best friends Erica, Anna and Claudia reunite for their book club holiday. This year they are getting together near Christmas, and Erica has chosen the cosy Maple Sugar Inn in Vermont for their getaway. The Inn is run by Hattie, a widowed single mother who specialises in making her guests’ dreams come true. But between motherhood and running the inn, there is little time to do anything than simply try to survive the festive season. The friends arrive at the Inn, and over the course of the next week secrets are revealed and all of their stories will become entwined in unexpected ways…

I love a cosy Christmas story, so when the SquadPod voted for The Christmas Book Club as our December Book Club pick I was thrilled. I’ve heard so many good things about Sarah Morgan’s books and have many of them on my TBR, so this was the ideal excuse to finally read one of them. And now I’m wondering why I waited so long. A delightful and uplifting story of love, friendship, family, grief and the changes that life throws our way, The Christmas Book Club is festive perfection. Sarah Morgan knows how to keep her readers turning the pages, delivering a story that is funny and entertaining but also has moving and emotional stories woven into every facet. 

One of the highlights of this book for me were the compelling characters and the depictions of family, love and friendship between them. I especially loved Hattie, the Inn’s proprietor, and her young daughter Delphi, but each of the characters had me enthralled and I was rooting for each of them. The will they/won’t they romance between Hattie and Noah was also gripping and I was cheering them on throughout. 

So if you’re looking for a warming festive story to read whilst snuggled under a blanket with a hot chocolate this year, this is the book for you.

Rating: 🎄🎄🎄🎄

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ABOUT THE AUTHOR:


Sarah Morgan is a USA Today and #1 Sunday Times bestselling author of romance and women’s fiction. She has sold over 25 million copies of her books and her trademark humour and warmth have gained her fans across the globe.

Sarah lives near London, England and when she isn’t writing or reading, she likes to spend time outdoors hiking or riding her mountain bike.

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Thanks for reading, Bibliophiles xxxx

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Audio Books book reviews Emma's Anticipated Treasures Most Anticipated 2025

BOOK REVIEW: The Lost Passenger by Frances Quinn

Published February 27th, 2025 by Simon & Schuster UK
Hisotrical Fiction, Saga

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ABOUT THE BOOK:

In the chaos of that terrible night, her secret went down with the Titanic. But secrets have a way of floating to the surface… 

Trapped in an unhappy aristocratic marriage, Elinor Coombes sees only lonely days ahead of her. So a present from her father – tickets for the maiden voyage of a huge, luxurious new ship called the Titanic – offers a welcome escape from the cold, controlling atmosphere of her husband’s ancestral home, and some precious time with her little son, Teddy. 

When the ship goes down, Elinor realises the disaster has given her a chance to take Teddy and start a new life – but only if they can disappear completely, listed as among the dead. Penniless and using another woman’s name, she has to learn to survive in a world that couldn’t be more different from her own, and keep their secret safe.  

An uplifting story about grabbing your chances with both hands, and being brave enough to find out who you really are. 

BUY HERE

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MY REVIEW:

England, 1910. 19-year-old Elinor, the daughter of a wealthy Manchester mill owner known as ‘the cotton king’, marries aristocrat Frederick after a whirlwind romance. But she soon discovers that their whole relationship was carefully planned to prop up the family’s finances. Heartbroken, powerless and disillusioned, Elinor finds herself trapped in a loveless marriage and living with a cold family where she is criticised and sneered at each day. And after the birth of her dear son, Teddy, the situation only becomes bleaker. She is isolated from her son for all but a short time each day and Frederick changes his will so that if he should die it is his parents, and not Elinor, who become Teddy’s legal guardians. So, when her father gifts them tickets on the maiden voyage of the Titanic, Elinor sees it as a welcome escape and the chance to finally spend real time with Teddy.

When the iceberg hits, Elinor and Teddy make it into a lifeboat. But her father, Frederick and their maid, Molly, don’t make it out alive. Faced with the cruel conditions of Frederick’s will, Elinor seizes the chance the disaster has brought to start a new life in America. But she will have to disappear completely, take on a dead woman’s persona and learn to survive while penniless in a place that couldn’t be more different from all she is used to. 

Atmospheric, heartrending, evocative and alluring, The Lost Passenger is a mesmerising piece of historical fiction. It’s no secret that I’m a huge fan of Frances Quinn and have loved both of her previous books, and I’ve always had a fascination with the Titanic, so this book had my name written all over it. Exquisitely written and skilfully plotted, this was impossible to put down once I’d started reading. Frances’ meticulous research is evident in the smallest details on every page, especially her vivid descriptions of life on board the Titanic, adding an air of authenticity to the story that helped me lose myself in it completely. Ms. Quinn gets better with each book and this is undoubtedly her best one yet. 

This is a story about taking chances, survival, courage, resilience, emancipation, starting again, and having the bravery to discover who you really are. And as it moves between early 20th century England and New York, the story explores a number of topics including the complexities of marriage, the class system, familial obligations, patriarchy, immigration and working class life. In England everything feels subdued, quiet, cold and rigid, while New York is a cacophony of street vendors, crowds and different languages. The contrast is stark and both places seem to mirror what is going on inside Elinor; in England she is isolated, silenced and alone, while in New York she’s cramped, overwhelmed and traumatised. But what I loved most was the exploration of motherhood and how far a mother is prepared to go for the sake of her child. 

Elinor is a fantastic protagonist. She’s likeable, sympathetic and easy to root for at every step. I felt every emotion alongside her, breaking my heart in two many times, but also filling me with hope as Elinor bravely embarked on trying to create a new life for herself and her child. But taking on the persona of a dead woman isn’t something she did lightly. She’s haunted by guilt, fearful of discovery, and must overcome many hurdles both to create her new life and avoid her true identity being exposed. The supporting characters are equally as compelling and richly drawn. I particularly enjoyed reading Elinor’s father and Molly, but it was the New York family that I loved most of all. These were charismatic characters who radiated kindness and explored what it is that makes a true family. 

Powerful, immersive and uplifting, this is one of my favourite books this year and a must-have addition to your TBR. 

Rating: ✮✮✮✮✮

Thank you to Simon & Schuster UK for sending me a copy of the book in exchange for my honest review.

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ABOUT THE AUTHOR:

Frances Quinn grew up in London and read English at King’s College, Cambridge, realising too late that the course would require more than lying around reading novels for three years. After snatching a degree from the jaws of laziness, she became a journalist, writing for magazines including Prima, Good Housekeeping, She, Woman’s Weekly and Ideal Home, and later branched out into copywriting, producing words for everything from Waitrose pizza packaging to the EasyJet in-flight brochure. 

In 2013, she won a place on the Curtis Brown Creative novel writing course, and started work on her first novel. The Smallest Man was published in 2021 by Simon & Schuster with her follow up, That Bonesetter Woman, published in 2022. 

She lives in Brighton, with her husband and two Tonkinese cats.

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Thanks for reading, Bibliophiles xxxx

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Blog Tours book reviews Emma's Anticipated Treasures

BLOG BLAST: Night By Night by Jack Jordan

Published December 4th, 2025 by Simon & Schuster UK
Thriller, Mystery

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ABOUT THE BOOK:

If you’re reading this, I’m dead . . . A heart-stopping thriller from the master of the moral dilemma and Sunday Times bestselling author.

‘Grabs you in the gut and doesn’t let go’ Jo Spain, author of The Confession
‘You won’t sleep a wink’ Lesley Kara, author of The Rumour
‘A heart-breaking, heart-stopping read’ Lauren North, author of The Perfect Betrayal

Rejected by her family and plagued by insomnia, Rose Shaw is unravelling day by day.

BUY HERE

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MY REVIEW:

Rose Shaw has been suffering from crippling insomnia for a decade. She lives her life in a haze of exhaustion that leaves her feeling like a failure as a wife and mother. So, when she decides to drive her daughters to their football match and try to watch from the sidelines, her intention is to make up for all the times she’s stayed at home trying to sleep instead. But, her well intentioned decision turns out to be the biggest mistake of her life, resulting in the death of one of her twin daughters and rejection by her family. Her life has fallen apart and she’s unravelling more each day.

Then, on another seemingly ordinary night, a hooded stranger crashes into her and drops a journal. Unable to resist temptation, Rose reads the diary and is unprepared for what is inside: a detailed account of how author Finn Matthews was stalked and is in fear for his life. Even though Finn is missing, the police refuse to investigate, so Rose takes matters into her own hands. Her search leads her to a string of missing and dead men and police failures and corruption. And it brings back memories of a time she would rather forget. Tarnished with the brush of insanity to try and silence her, Rose worries her investigation will be in vain. Will she finally be able to reveal the truth and stop the stalker before another man is taken?

Jack Jordan has done it again! Gripping, twisted, dark and haunting, this was another unputdownable thriller from the King of the bingeable thriller. Well written, multilayered and emotive, it was brimming with foreboding and suspense but also tugged on my heartstrings. Jack made me feel like I was living the experience alongside Rose and had my heart racing so intensely that I thought I was having a panic attack at one point! I couldn’t put it down, and when I read it in 2019 it solidified Jack’s place on my auto-buy list.

Rose was a great protagonist who I instantly connected with. She is flawed, broken, isolated, lost, and a shell of her former self. She’s also desperate to win back the love and forgiveness of her husband and child, but has run out of ideas to make that happen. I understood why they, and some others, hated her for what she did, but I had a lot of sympathy for her and was rooting for her to succeed.  I found her internal monologue at the start of the book amusing and could relate to a lot of the thoughts she had while plagued with insomnia. When Rose finds Finn’s diary it gives her a purpose and she finally has something to hope and fight for after so many years in the wilderness of her grief. We see another side to her: someone tenacious and determined who won’t be intimidated. Another fantastic character was the mysterious stalker. He felt almost ghostly in his elusiveness and part of the fear he struck in me was not knowing who he was. I loved that Jack disguised his identity so well that I only figured out who he was moments before it was revealed in a heart-stopping and terrifying turn of events that had me holding my breath in anticipation. Bravo, Mr. Jordan. 

Riveting, tense and unforgettable, this is a must-read for thriller fans.

Rating: ✮✮✮✮✰

Thank you to Tracy at Compulsive Readers Tours for the invitation to take part in this blog blast and to Simon & Schuster for sending me a copy of the book in exchange for my honest review.

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ABOUT THE AUTHOR:

Jack Jordan is the global number one bestselling author of Anything for Her (2015), My Girl (2016), A Woman Scorned (2018), Before Her Eyes (2018) and Night by Night (2019).

His latest thriller, Do No Harm, was an instant Times bestseller and shortlisted for the Most Recommended Book in the DeadGood Reader Awards. Coined the thriller of the summer for 2022, it was described as “relentlessly tense” by Sunday Times Bestseller Lesley Kara, and “Chilling and perfectly paced” by New York Times Bestseller Sarah Pearse.

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Thanks for reading, Bibliophiles xxxxx

Please check out the reviews from the other bloggers taking part in the blog blast.

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book reviews Emma's Anticipated Treasures

BOOK REVIEW: The Household by Stacey Halls

Published: April 11th, 2024 by Manilla Press
Historical Fiction, Romance Novel, Thriller, Historical Thriller

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ABOUT THE BOOK:

THE CAPTIVATING NEW NOVEL, SET AGAINST CHARLES DICKENS’ HOME FOR FALLEN WOMEN

‘Absorbing . . . Halls weaves together the elements of her story with great skill’ Sunday Times
‘Compelling and richly detailed’ Good Housekeeping
‘Captivating’ Woman
‘Meticulously researched and compelling’ Red
‘Keeps the reader enthralled’ Prima
‘Exquisitely written . . . full of heart and hope’ Fabulous

NOT ALL WHO ARE FALLEN WANT TO BE SAVED

London, 1847. In a quiet house in the countryside outside London, the finishing touches are being made to welcome a group of young women. The house and its location are top secret, its residents unknown to one another, but the girls have one thing in common: they are fallen. Offering refuge for prostitutes, petty thieves and the destitute, Urania Cottage is a second chance at life – but how badly do they want it?

Meanwhile, a few miles away in a Piccadilly mansion, millionairess Angela Burdett-Coutts, one of the benefactors of Urania Cottage, makes a discovery that leaves her cold. Her stalker of ten years has been released from prison, and she knows it’s only a matter of time before their nightmarish game resumes once more.

As the women’s worlds collide in ways they could never have expected, they will discover that freedom always comes at a price . . .

The Household is the new novel from the award-winning, Sunday Times bestselling author of The Familiars, The Foundling and Mrs England. Set against Charles Dickens’ home for fallen women and inspired by real figures from history, it is Stacey Halls’ most ambitious and captivating novel yet.

buy here

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MY REVIEW:

The house she was promised, is the first clean page in a new book for girls like her . . .

London, 1847. Martha arrives at Urania House, a house that she has been promised is a new start for girls like her. Martha is the first resident at Charles Dickens’ new house for fallen women and is soon joined by other girls hoping for a fresh start. A place of refuge and reformation, the project and its location are a closely guarded secret and the girls are forbidden from discussing their lives before they arrived at the house. 

On the board of governors is Angela  Burdett Coutts, London’s richest woman. But as the house opens Angela’s world is upended when Richard Dunn, the man who has stalked her for a decade, is released early from prison. Angela knows it won’t be long before his nightmarish games begin again and she’s terrified. Trying to put her worries aside, Anglea becomes increasingly invested in the lives of the girls at Urania, especially Martha. And soon, their lives collide in unexpected ways. Are they prepared for the price they must pay for freedom?

Atmospheric, immersive and beguiling, The Household is another masterpiece from the pen of storyteller extraordinaire Stacey Halls. It’s no secret that Stacey is one of my favourite authors ever, and one of the nicest, too, so I am always excited when she releases another book. She just gets better every time and this one was close to knocking her debut from its spot as my favourite of her books.

I love books based on real events and real people so this was right up my street. Although, before this book I had no idea that Charles Dickens opened a house for fallen women. Expertly written, perfectly paced and acutely observed, this evocative story leaped from the pages  Stacey’s meticulous research is evident on every page, bringing Victorian London to life through every word and the smallest of details. I truly felt like I’d stepped into a time machine and emerged in my favourite era. And then there’s the characters. Every one, however big or small, is richly drawn, charismatic and memorable and I was completely invested in their lives. I had a real soft spot for Martha, Angela and Josephine, and Richard was a deliciously creepy villain who sent chills down my spine. Stacey had me completely in her thrall and I devoured this book in under a day.

This is a story about women. About the hardships they have endured and the ways in which they have learned to survive. These aren’t the meek and weak women that Victorian society would like them to be. Nor do they suffer in silence. These women are strong, determined and courageous. I loved these women, especially Martha, Josephine and Anglea, who are three of our narrators. They put me through the emotional wringer but I loved their stories and the sisterhood they shared. And knowing that Angela is based on a real person also made her even more fascinating to me, and I really enjoyed the conversation between Stacey and Sophia Money-Coutts, who is one of Angela’s descendants, at the end of the audiobook. 

Absorbing, accomplished and utterly mesmerising, this is a must-read for anyone who loves well-written historical fiction.

Rating: ✮✮✮✮✮

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

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MEET THE AUTHOR:

Stacey Halls was born in 1989 and grew up in Rossendale, Lancashire. She studied journalism at the University of Central Lancashire and has written for publications including the Guardian, Stylist, Psychologies, The Independent, The Sun and Fabulous.

Her debut novel, The Familiars, was published in 2019 and was the bestselling debut hardback novel of that year, won a Betty Trask Award and was shortlisted for the British Book Awards’ Debut Book of the Year. Her subsequent novels, The Foundling and Mrs England, were also Sunday Times bestsellers. The Household is her fourth novel.

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Thanks for reading, Bibliophiles xxxx

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BLOG TOUR: Life Begins at the Cornish Cottage by Kim Nash

Published October 31st, 2025 by Boldwood Books
Romance Novel, Domestic Fiction, Contemporary Romance, Nautical Fiction

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ABOUT THE BOOK:

Set against the sparkling shores of Cornwall☀️, this BRAND NEW heartwarming, uplifting and gorgeously romantic tale of second chances is perfect for fans of Veronica Henry, Trisha Ashley and Cathy Bramley. ✨

When life gives you heartbreak 💔, sometimes it also gives you a second chance… 💕

When Tom Sullivan returns to the quiet village of Sandpiper Shore, Emma can hardly believe her eyes. She hasn’t seen him since they played Romeo and Juliet in their school play – a lifetime ago, before real heartbreak, and long before she ever imagined life as a widow.

The last thing she wants is to relive the past, especially with someone who once made her teenage heart flutter. But when Emma agrees to put on a charity pantomime to raise money for the air ambulance service that helped her late husband, she’s thrown firmly back into Tom’s path.

As rehearsals begin and the local community rallies around her, Emma finds unexpected joy in bringing people together – and a surprising connection with Tom that feels far too real to ignore. Maybe it’s time for Emma to become the leading lady in her own life, not just for the show, but for herself.

Full of warmth, humour and heart, this is a story about letting go and discovering that it’s never too late to take a chance on love.

While this novel is set in the same village as the other books in the Sandpiper Shore series, it can be read as a STANDALONE

BUY HERE

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MY REVIEW:

Emma Montgomery is trying to move on with life following the sudden death of her husband, Ben. Along with her friends Jo and Michelle she runs the Lonely Hearts Club, a group for singles wanting to make friends, and has agreed to organise the local pantomime to raise money for the air ambulance. But Emma gets a huge shock when at a meeting about the pantomime who should appear but Tom Sullivan, Emma’s first love who she hasn’t seen since they played Romeo and Juliet in their school play. To Emma’s dismay, he still makes her heart flutter just like he did when they were teenagers. But Tom broke her heart and she’s not looking for a man, so Emma is determined they will just be friends. But can she resist what her heart seems to want?

There is nothing better at this time of year than an uplifting romcom. And this book certainly fits that bill. Charming, warm, and witty, this was a joyful festive read and exactly what I didn’t know I needed. Kim Nash writes with heart and humour, expertly immersing you in the lives of her charismatic characters. And while there was laughter from the start, this is also a lot of depth to this story as Kim explores difficult topics such as coercive control, particularly the complex emotions that accompany it, and delivers an an evocative and moving portrait of grief and self discovery that reminds us all to believe in ourselves and take the opportunities life brings our way. 

But what’s most important in a romcom is the romance. You need characters who seem destined for each other and make you root for their happy-ever-after. This is something Kim delivers perfectly. I loved Emma and Tom. Not only were they great characters in their own right, but they had a compelling and tragic history and an undeniable chemistry that is still there over three decades later. These are people who make you believe in soulmates and I was rooting for them to find happiness again with one another despite the obstacles in their path. 

Life Begins at the Cornish Cottage is the perfect romcom to escape with this festive season. Highly recommended.

Rating: ✮✮✮✮✰

Thank you to Tracy at Compulsive Readers Tours, Anne at Random Things Tours, Rach at Random Resources and Zoe at Zooloos Book Tours for the invitation to take part in this tour and for sending me a copy of the book in exchange for my honest review.

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ABOUT THE AUTHOR:

Kim Nash is the bestselling author of uplifting, heartwarming, romantic, feel-good fiction. She has wanted to write books since she was a little girl. Her other dream, is to live in a home that has a view of a golden sandy beach and the sea sparkling in the sunlight. Until that dream comes true, she’ll continue to write second chance romances about women who live or move to the seaside on her behalf.

Life Begins at the Cornish Cottage, the second book set in Sandpiper Shores, is out on 31st October 2025 and is available to pre-order now.

One of her greatest writing achievements is to be nominated for the Kindle Storyteller Award in 2020, and she was delighted when Claudia Winkleman had read her book and said it was ‘Totally warm and absolutely lovely.’

She lives in Staffordshire with her son Ollie and English Setter rescue dog Roni, is Author Community Director for publisher Bookouture (a division of Hachette UK) and, as an avid reader, started her career in the publishing industry as a book blogger.

When she’s not working or writing, Kim can be found walking her dog at Cannock Chase, reading and binge-watching TV. She’s also quite partial to a spa day, lemon drizzle cake and a gin and tonic (not all at the same time!)

Kim also runs a book club in Staffordshire and organises local and national reader/author events.

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Thanks for reading, Bibliophiles xxxx

Please check out the review from the other bloggers taking part in the blog tour.

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BOOK REVIEW: The Diamond Eye by Kate Quinn

Published March 22nd, 2022 by Harper Collins UK
Historical Fiction, Thriller, War Story, Drama, Biographical Fiction, Spy Fiction, Holiday Ficiton

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ABOUT THE BOOK:

The brand-new historical novel based on a true story from the bestselling author of The Rose Code and The Alice Network

*Goodreads Choice Awards Nominee: Best Historical Fiction 2022*

In the snowbound city of Kiev, aspiring historian Mila Pavlichenko’s life revolves around her young son – until Hitler’s invasion of Russia changes everything. Suddenly, she and her friends must take up arms to save their country from the Fuhrer’s destruction.

Handed a rifle, Mila discovers a gift – and months of blood, sweat and tears turn the young woman into a deadly sniper: the most lethal hunter of Nazis.

Yet success is bittersweet. Mila is torn from the battlefields of the eastern front and sent to America while the war still rages. There, she finds an unexpected ally in First Lady Eleanor Roosevelt, and an unexpected promise of a different future.

But when an old enemy from Mila’s past joins forces with a terrifying new foe, she finds herself in the deadliest duel of her life.

The Diamond Eye is a haunting novel of heroism born of desperation, of a mother who became a soldier, of a woman who found her place in the world and changed the course of history forever.

buy here

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MY REVIEW:

Powerful, atmospheric, immersive and intense, , The Diamond Eye is the remarkable story  of Lyudmila ‘Mila’ Pavlichenko, a Russian sniper during the Second World War who went on to become the deadliest sniper in history. It opens on  August 27th, 1942, when Mila is a Russian Envoy at the White House, before jumping back to November 1937, when she was an ordinary citizen in Kiev. Told by Mila, the Marksman, and in extracts from the diary of First Lady Eleanor Roosevelt, it then moves between timelines and narrators, blending fact with fiction as Kate Quinn tells the story in cinematic detail. 

Mila was a history maker and her story is one of an extraordinary life. But it didn’t start out that way. In 1937 she was 21 years old, an ordinary Russian citizen and a single mother to a five-year-old son. Vowing to be both mother and father to her son, she became an expert shooter to prove to him she could take on the male role he needed, and by the time Russia was invaded in 1941 she was an experienced marksman. Determined to defend her country, Mila joined the Red Army. And with no limits on what roles a woman can take in Russia, unlike the UK and USA, she becomes a sniper. Known to her enemies as ‘Lady Death’, Mila went on to become the deadliest female sniper in history, with 309 confirmed kills recorded. She was also the first Soviet citizen welcomed in the US when she travelled there on a goodwill tour, talking about her experiences as a female soldier and to advocate for their help opening a second front in Europe.

I loved this woman. Feisty, strong, intelligent, determined, ambitious and accomplished, she is someone I’d want on my side. She was also straightforward, with a bluntness that could sometimes come across as brusque to Americans. A staunch advocate of women’s rights, Mila was intent on demonstrating that girls can do anything boys can, demanding respect from her male peers instead of trying to impress them or being intimidated by them. She was an inspiration and a symbol of a strong woman, all whilst hiding her own heartache and trauma underneath. 

Books based on true stories are some of my favourites and I won’t forget this story of heroism, heartache, love, loss, feminism, war and self-discovery is one I won’t forget. Expertly written, meticulously researched, full of evocative imagery and richly drawn characters, Kate Quinn had me in her thrall from start to finish. And that ending! I was on tenterhooks, my heart racing, and then just when I thought it was all over…Bam! She delivers a jaw-dropping curveball that I didn’t see coming and I’m still trying to recover from. 

Action-packed, moving, suspenseful and haunting, The Diamond Eye is a breathtaking story that would be perfect on the big screen or adapted for Netflix and is a must for your TBR.

Rating: ✮✮✮✮✰

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ABOUT THE AUTHOR:

Kate Quinn is the New York Times and USA Today bestselling author of historical fiction. A native of southern California, she attended Boston University where she earned a Bachelor’s and Master’s degree in Classical Voice. She has written four novels in the Empress of Rome Saga, and two books in the Italian Renaissance, before turning to the 20th century with “The Alice Network”, “The Huntress,” “The Rose Code,” “The Diamond Eye,” and “The Briar Club.” She is also a co-author in several collaborative novels including “The Phoenix Crown” with Janie Chang and “Ribbons of Scarlet” with Stephanie Dray, Laura Kamoie, Eliza Knight, Sophie Perinot, and Heather Webb. “The Astral Library,” releasing in 2025, is her first foray into magical realism. Kate and her husband now live in Maryland with their two rescue dogs.

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Thanks for reading, Bibliophiles xxxxx

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BOOK REVIEW: Famous Last Words by Gillian McAllister

Published January 30th, 2025 by Michael Joseph
Thriller, Mystery, Suspense, Psycological Thriller, Domestic Fiction

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ABOUT THE BOOK:

It’s Camilla’s first day back at work, her daughter’s first day at nursery.
But husband Luke is nowhere to be seen. The only trace of him is an unfinished note. Camilla tries to put it out of her mind; there must be a rational explanation.
At work, there are welcomes back, and too many distractions.
Then it starts.
Breaking news: there’s a hostage situation developing in London.
The police arrive: Luke is caught up in it.
But he isn’t a hostage. Luke – doting father, successful writer, enthusiastic runner and eternal optimist – is the gunman.
What Camilla does next is crucial. Because only she knows what the note he left behind says, and the clues it might hold . . .

BUY HERE

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MY REVIEW:

It’s Cam’s first day back at work after nine months of maternity leave and her daughter Polly’s first day at nursery. She is frustrated to find her husband, Luke, has left her to do it all alone. Then she finds a note from Luke that reads, “It’s been so lovely with you both”.  She’s confused but drops Polly off and heads to work, trying to distract herself from the uneasy feeling in her stomach. A few hours later there is a breaking news story about a siege where a man has taken three people hostage. The police arrive and tell her that the man responsible is Luke. A hostage negotiator, Niall, is called and they desperately try to stop the siege, but things soon take an even darker turn…

Gillian McAllister is the Queen of the moral dilemma thriller. Her books always make you think about what you would do in the character’s shoes and she has a flair for writing character-driven stories that pack a suspenseful punch. Gillian’s skillful storytelling and expert choreography had me in her thrall. This book is a masterclass in suspense; beautifully written but with a sharp edge and a sense of dread that keeps you on tenterhooks as you read. But what really sets this, and all of Gillian’s books apart is their emotional depth. This isn’t just a thriller, it’s a story that asks if we can ever truly know someone and an exploration of love, family and loss.

The story is told by Cam and Niall, who offer us two very different perspectives. Cam’s narration is an emotionally-fraught rollercoaster ride where her fear, devastation, grief and confusion leap from the pages. She’s got so many questions and no answers, making it even harder to move on from that day. Meanwhile, Niall is haunted by the events of that day. He’s an expert at talking down hostage-takers but he has so many questions about what happened. I had the same questions: what was the catalyst for the siege? What secrets was Luke hiding? And who were the bad guys in this story? But Gillian kept her cards to her vest, revealing very little until the finale, which made the payoff that much sweeter when the truth was finally unveiled.

Intriguing, tense, complex, emotional and twisty, Famous Last Words is a must-read for any thriller lover.

Rating: ✮✮✮✮.5

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ABOUT THE AUTHOR:

From Amazon:
Hello there!

As you find me, it’s winter 2025 and my new novel is Famous Last Words, a thriller with a marriage at its centre. It asks the question: what would you do if your husband is caught up in a siege in central London? Only, the police tell you he isn’t one of the hostages: he is the gunman… I hope you like the answer!

As to me, otherwise, I am the author of these novels:

Everything But The Truth (2017)

Anything You Do Say (2018) called The Choice in America

No Further Questions (2018) called The Good Sister in America

The Evidence Against You (2019)

How To Disappear (2020)

That Night (2021)

Wrong Place Wrong Time (2022)

Just Another Missing Person (2023)

Famous Last Words (2025)

My most popular novel is probably Wrong Place Wrong Time, which was selected for the Radio 2 book club and was the Reese’s Book Club August ’22 pick. It debuted at number 4 on the Sunday Times Bestseller List and number 2 on the New York Times Bestseller List.

When not writing (which is basically never), I can be found walking my dog Wendy and parenting my small toddler. The best moments of my day always are the first sip of my coffee, the moment I step into the bath at night, and my son telling me he loves me. And that rare thing that happens only once a year – a novel idea.

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Tbanks for reading, Bibliophiles xxxx

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READALONG REVIEW: The Nancys and the Case of the Missing Necklace by R.W. R. McDonald

Published November 20th, 2025 by Orenda Books
Mystery, Thriller, Cozy Mystery, Humorous Fiction

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ABOUT THE BOOK:

Eleven-year-old Tippy’s uncle and his boyfriend turn up in her small New Zealand town to look after her when his mother is away over Christmas, but when her schoolteacher is found dead and her best friend has a near-fatal accident, the trio turns detective, dubbing themselves The Nancys, and launching a chaotic, hilarious investigation.

‘Heartfelt and hilarious, this mystery is packed with vivid, beautifully written characters … highly recommended’ A.J. West

‘Wonderful … A book of great heart, humour and originality. I loved it’ Chris Hammer

‘A wonderfully smart, funny, intriguing and joyously camp mystery. I loved it!’ William Hussey

‘Entertaining and satisfying, with a cast of characters I loved and genuinely cared about … unsettling, captivating and uplifting‘Vanda Symon

*** WINNER of the Ngaio Marsh Award for Best First Novel***

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Meet the Nancys…

Tippy Chan is eleven years old, and she lives in a small town in a very quiet part of New Zealand – the town her Uncle Pike escaped as a teenager, the moment he got a chance. Now Pike is back with his new boyfriend Devon to look after Tippy while her mum is on a Christmas cruise.

Tippy can’t get enough of her uncle’s old Nancy Drew books. She wants to be Nancy and is desperate to solve a real mystery. So, when her teacher’s body is found beside Riverstone’s only traffic light, it looks like Tippy’s moment has arrived. She and her minders form The Nancys, a secret detective club.

But what starts as a bonding and sightseeing adventure quickly morphs into something far more dangerous. A wrongful arrest, a close call with the murderer, and an intervention from Tippy’s mum all conspire against The Nancys. But regardless of their own safety, and despite the constant distraction of questionable fashion choices in the town that style forgot, The Nancys know only they can stop the killer from striking again. Whatever the cost…

Gripping, glorious and glittering with suspense, The Nancy’s is also a heartwarming, hilarious novel for anyone who’s ever felt like they were on the outside, looking in, with a simmering mystery at its heart and characters you will never forget.

A hilarious, and heartfelt twist on Nancy Drew – with murder, mayhem and makeovers in small-town New Zealand.

BUY HERE

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MY REVIEW:

Heartwarming, witty, chaotic and flamboyant, this delightfully original debut had me hooked from start to finish. 

11-year-old Tippy Chan lives in a small, quiet town in New Zealand with her mum, Helen. She is obsessed with her Uncle Pike’s old Nancy Drew books and longs to solve a real mystery just like her hero. So, when the body of her teacher is discovered one morning, it looks like Tippy’s moment is finally here. Together with her Uncle Pike and his boyfriend, Devon, she forms The Nancys, a secret detective club, and they begin their investigation. It all starts as a fun adventure, but things quickly morph into something more dangerous and they face mounting obstacles as they search for the truth. But The Nancys are sure they are the only ones who can find the killer and stop them before they strike again. 

This book is the hilarious and uplifting mystery I didn’t know I needed. I’m a big fan of cosy crime stories and love an amateur detective, so I was excited to read this. And in The Nancys I’ve found my new favourite crime-solving trio. It’s a story of family, friendship, murder and makeovers. A story for the outsiders. And I loved every word. R. W. R. McDonald writes with heart and humour, creating a compelling mystery that keeps you on the edge of your seat but also makes you feel all the feelings, adding depth to the story as he addresses topics such as grief, trauma and identity. 

The first rule of The Nancys is that everyone is a suspect. And they take that to heart; unafraid to suspect everyone they know in this tiny town as they search for the killer. This created a sense of unease and distrust, as we couldn’t be sure about anyone or anything. I had my own suspicions and theories, but the author did an excellent job of making me feel unsure about them, keeping me guessing and delivering red herrings that shook me along the way. 

There is a motley crew of captivating richly drawn characters on these pages who pull you into their world and take you along with them for the ride. I loved that this story was told from Tippy’s perspective, and that she is such a likeable character who is easy to root for. In many ways she’s a typical 11-year-old girl who just wants the latest smartphone, but she’s also dealing with a lot after the sudden death of her father earlier in the year. When we meet her, she’s on the cusp of both her first Christmas without her dad and her first time apart from her mum, who is off on a cruise she won. And that’s where the fabulous Uncle Pike and his boyfriend, Devon, step in. I loved these delightfully campy characters and they never failed to make me laugh. I also enjoyed their untraditional approach to babysitting and that they quickly decided to makeover the girl next door and enter her in a local beauty pageant. This was a fun side story that added lots of levity alongside the darker search for a killer. 

Hilarious, mysterious, quirky and heartfelt, this glorious debut is not to be missed. And I am really hoping that it is the first in a series as I need to return to these wonderful characters again.

Rating: 🔎🔎🔎🔎

Thank you Orenda Books for the invitation to take part in this readalong and for sending me a copy of the book in exchange for my honest review.

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ABOUT THE AUTHOR:

R.W.R. McDonald (Rob) is an award-winning author, a Kiwi and Queer dad living in Melbourne with his two daughters and one HarryCat. His debut novel, The Nancys, won Best First Novel in the 2020 Ngaio Marsh Awards, as well as being a finalist in the Best Novel category. It was shortlisted for Best First Novel in the 2020 Ned Kelly Awards, and Highly Commended for an Unpublished Manuscript in the 2017 Victorian Premier’s Literary Awards. His second novel, Nancy Business, was a finalist for Best Novel in 2022 Ngaio Marsh Awards.

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Thanks for reading, Bibliophiles xxxx

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