Category: Emma’s Anticipated Treasures

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book reviews Emma's Anticipated Treasures

BOOK REVIEW: Patterns of Us by S. J. Gathercole

Published May 21st, 2026
Romance Novel, LGBTQ Fiction

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ABOUT THE BOOK:

Russell and Loukas were that couple in university. The one that was joined at the hip and does everything together. Until they weren’t.

After five years of tactically avoiding anything to do with each other, they find themselves thrust back together and facing their biggest challenge yet — co-parenting.

Packed with angst and yearning, Patterns of Us follows Russell and Loukas in their past and present. Can they learn from their mistakes and finally build the life they dreamed of?

BUY HERE

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MY REVIEW:

Russell and Loukas, who were the couple at university who were joined at the hip. But five years ago it all fell apart and they have tactically avoided one another ever since. Now, after the tragic deaths of their best friends Kieran and Millie, they have been thrown back together after being named as co-parents to the couple’s young son, Henry. Not only that, but the will states that they must live and parent under one roof. Moving between timelines, we follow Russell and Loukas in their past and present, watching as they fall in love, fall apart and then try to come back together for Henry. 

I love an emotional read but was still unprepared for the emotional rollercoaster I went through reading this book and it will take my heart some time to recover. S. J. Gathercole has crafted a compelling and unforgettable love story that is intricately interwoven with grief. Steph perfectly conveys the overwhelming pain grief causes, how hard it is to enjoy life again and how it catches you off guard out of nowhere. It’s heartfelt, poignant and filled with yearning. 

I loved Russell and Loukas. They are charismatic characters who were easy to like and root for. Because the story is told from both points of view it felt like I really got to know both of them and moving between  past and present gave us a fuller picture of their whole relationship and an understanding of why they were behaving certain ways in the present. It was apparent early on that these two belonged together. They were yin and yang. Soulmates. And Steph knew what she was doing with the will they/won’t they storyline, keeping me on tenterhooks as I kept screaming at them in my head to just admit they were meant for each other.

As someone with a chronic illness, I loved the representation in Russell’s character through his Psoriatic Arthritis. Because of my own personal experience, Steph asked me to be a sensitivity reader for the book and what she wrote was pitch perfect. She made Russ’s illness honest and real, showing us how it affected every facet of his life but also how determined he was and that he is more than his illness. I appreciated how seamlessly it was woven into the story and felt very seen, especially in terms of how it affected his confidence. Seeing him so worried about Loukas deserving someone better, someone who isn’t ill, felt very relatable. Loukas is a sweetheart and I love that he saw past Russ’s illness and thought of ways to help him rather than resenting the limitations it brought into their lives. Thank you, Steph, for writing a character and a story that will help so many understand what it is like to live and have a relationship with chronic illness. 

Rating: ✮✮✮✮✰

Thank you Steph for sending me a copy of this bok in exchange for my honest review.

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ABOUT THE AUTHOR:

Steph started reading at a very young age and quickly fell in love with stories and storytelling.

Her debut novel The People We Trust, was a passion project over several years to bring more representation into the murder mystery genre.

Throughout many turbulent times in her own life she turned to poetry to help put a voice to the thoughts that whirled around inside her head. The ‘Teenager’s Guide’ series, which consists of three poetry collections, were hugely cathartic to write, and she hopes they’re just as cathartic to read.

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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: A Poisoner’s Tale by Cathryn Kemp

Published July 11th, 2024 by Bantam
Historical Fiction, Historical Thriller, Gothic Fiction, Fairy Tale, Adventure Fiction, Supernatural Fiction, Biographical Fiction

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ABOUT THE BOOK:

A dark and powerful feminist retelling of the best serial killer you’ve never heard of . Inspired by the true story of Giulia Tofana.

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Rome, 1656

In Rome’s shadowy backstreets lies an apothecary’s shop – a place for women to take their heartbreaks and troubles. Herbs for childbirth. Tarot readings to tell their fortunes. An undetectable poison that can kill in four drops.

Alongside her circle of female poisoners, Giulia Tofana dispenses her deadly potion to free the downtrodden women of the city from their abusive husbands. A path she’s determined to follow after a harrowing childhood in Palermo.

But even in a time of plague, it does not go unnoticed when the men begin to fall like flies.

With the Holy Office of the Inquisition on her tail, Giulia is in more danger than ever. . How far will she go for the women who need her help?

MURDERER OR SAVIOUR? YOU DECIDE.

A POISONER’S TALE explores the realities of what it is like to be a woman who rebels against society and takes the reader on a tense, challenging but spellbinding journey.

BUY HERE

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MY REVIEW:

Rome, 1656. Five women stand on a scaffold about to be executed. They are accused of selling poison to the women of Rome so that they could poison their husbands, killing hundreds, maybe even thousands. One of those women is Giulia Tofana. And this is her story.

Giulia Tofana. The first female serial killer. I’d never heard of her and I imagine not many of you have either. But you’ll not forget her after reading this magnificent debut. Atmospheric, dark, powerful and immersive, this captivating story is brimming with female rage, power and revenge. Cathryn Kemp showcases herself as an author to watch with this skillfully written tale and I’m now even more excited to read her second book soon. Exquisitely researched, it is rich in historic detail, transporting you to the 17th Century so vividly you can smell the stench of the jail and feel yourself walking Rome’s cobbled streets. I was hooked, on the edge of my seat and unable to put this one down once I’d started reading. 

I consider myself a true crime and history buff, but somehow Giulia’s story had escaped me until I read this book. Now I want to know more! Feisty and independent, she is a strong woman who went through some terrible things and had to fend for herself from a young age. Giulia came from a long line of healers and poison makers, the recipe for her deadly cocktail passed down through the generations in order to help women escape their abusive or cruel husbands. This was a time where women had no rights and were the property of men, so murder was seen as their only way to escape abuse and women like Giulia, who lived free of the ownership of any man, were looked upon with suspicion and hatred. Despite her deadly deeds, I linked Giulia and her circle of poisoners. And I didn’t blame the women who came to her for desperately trying to escape a life of hell. I’ve been there and am so thankful I could leave without having to resort to murderous measures. 

I think this is a book that is best discovered for yourself, so I won’t say more about the plot. But I will say that this is an absolute must-read for anyone with an interest in history, true crime or feminist stories. 

Rating: ✮✮✮✮.5

Thank you Bantam for sending me a proof copy of this book in exchange for my hoenst reivew.

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ABOUT THE AUTHOR:

Cathryn Kemp’s first novel, bestselling  A Poisoner’s Tale, won the HWA Debut Crown Award 2025 and has been published internationally in the U.S., Canada, Italy, France, Brazil and Portuguese speaking territories, Vietnam and globally.

Cathryn’s second novel, They Can’t Burn Us All, is published with Penguin Random House in August 2026.

Her personal memoir, Coming Clean (2012), won the Big Red Read Prize for Non-Fiction. Cathryn co-founded charity, The Painkiller Addiction Information Network (PAIN), which has successfully lobbied Government, including the House of Lords and the APPG for dependency on prescribed medicines. 

Cathryn is a Sunday Times and Amazon Number 1 (in four categories) bestselling ghostwriter, with a prolific career writing celebrity, inspirational, true crime, addiction and nostalgia titles.

She has written across the full spectrum of the British and international press, and has appeared on television and radio, including ITV’s This Morning, Lorraine and Panorama, BBC’s Women’s Hour and regional BBC radio stations across the UK.

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Thanks for reading, Bibliophiles xxxx

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BOOK REVIEW: Prize Women by Caroline Lea

Published April 27th, 2023 by Michael Joseph
Historical Fiction, Historical Mystery, Thriller, Domestic Fiction, Romance Novel

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ABOUT THE BOOK:

Based on the incredible true story of The Great Stork Derby, Prize Women is the profoundly moving novel that sheds light on a scandalous moment in history just as relevant today
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Toronto, 1926.

A childless millionaire leaves behind an astonishing will: the recipient of his fortune will be decided in a contest known as ‘The Great Stork Derby’. His money will go to the winner: the woman who bears the most children in the ten years after his death.

Lily di Marco is young, pregnant, and terrified of her husband. Fleeing to Toronto, she arrives on the doorstep of glamorous free spirit Mae Thebault. At a time when men hold all the power, Lily and Mae look out for each other. But as their friendship grows, Lily wonders if there’s more to Mae – and her past – than she has been told . . .

And as the Great Depression bites, the Stork Derby contest – with its alluring prize – proves too good to ignore for Lily and Mae, each living hand to mouth.

These best friends are now fierce rivals. But if only one woman can win, what will the contest cost the other?

buy here

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MY REVIEW:

Toronto, 1926. When eccentric millionaire Charles Vance Miller dies aged 82, he plays a final joke in his will and leaves his fortune to the woman who has the most babies over the next ten years. It was known as ‘The Great Stalk Derby’. The story follows two women – Lily and Mae – who take part in the derby, following their lives over the decade of the race through all of their trials, tribulations and celebrations. 

Caroline Lea has been one of my favourite historical fiction authors ever since I read her debut and I will buy anything she writes. This book has languished on my shelves unread for a while but I’m glad I finally read it. Exquisitely written, cleverly crafted and meticulously researched, Caroline held me in her thrall and I lost myself in the story. I love a book based on real events but had never heard of The Great Stalk Derby before reading this and admit I found the idea quite horrifying. But this story peels back the complex layers of the lives of the women who took part, revealing an evocative, poignant, scandalous and unforgettable story of sisterhood, strength and survival. Caroline also explores misogyny, abuse, lack of bodily autonomy and poverty, showing how they inform the women’s lives and the number of children they had. It’s hard to read at times but Caroline created the perfect balance of honesty and sensitivity, making everything included feel crucial to understanding these women.

The story is told by Lily and Mae, two women who take part in the derby that were based on real women. I loved these ladies and their friendship, which is as real and raw as the rest of their story. Lily is an Italian immigrant who arrives in Toronto with her young son, Matteo, after fleeing her abusive husband. She is also pregnant. Through a family she meets on her journey she is introduced to Mae, a wealthy woman with five children and another on the way. Mae hires Lily as a nanny and we watch as they develop first a friendship and then something more. The story is told in dual timelines and when we meet them in court in 1937 they talk of a falling out and betrayal, leaving us wondering what shattered their strong bond. The truth unfolds slowly with the court scenes adding an extra layer of tension and keeping me guessing about past events. I was rooting for them at every step. It also made me thankful to live in this era and with a stronger sense of how important women’s rights, bodily autonomy and access to contraception reproductive healthcare really is. Lily and Mae had none of those resources and the result is devastating.

A gorgeous story that will stay with you long after reading, add this to your TBR now. 

Rating: ✮✮✮✮.5

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ABOUT THE AUTHOR:

Caroline Lea grew up in Jersey and gained a First in English Literature and Creative Writing from the University of Warwick, where she has also taught on the Creative Writing degree. Her fiction and poetry have been longlisted for the BBC Short Story Prize and Sunday Times Short Story Award, and shortlisted for the Bridport Prize, the Fish Short Story Competition and various flash fiction prizes. Her novel, THE GLASS WOMAN, was published to critical acclaim and shortlisted for the HWA Debut Crown. Her next novel, THE METAL HEART, was Scottish Waterstones Book of the Month. Her most recent novel, PRIZE WOMEN was featured and acclaimed on BBC Women’s Hour. Caroline is passionate about helping other writers to grow and succeed: she teaches creative writing both privately and, currently, for Writing West Midlands and is often recruited to give talks at literary festivals and events. She currently lives in Warwick with her partner and children and is working on her next novel about Mary Shelley writing Frankenstein. Her books often feature ordinary women in extraordinary circumstances.

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Thanks for reading, Bibliophiles xxxxx

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BOOK REVIEW: It’s Not What You Think by Clare Mackintosh

Published March 26th, 2026 by Harper Fiction
Thriller, Suspense, Crime Fiction, Mystery, Psychological Fiction

*I listened to this on Bookbeat. Click here to listen free for 60 days*

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ABOUT THE BOOK:

YOU THINK YOU KNOW THE PEOPLE YOU LOVE

Nadeeka is certain Jamie is having an affair. She knows the tell-tale signs.

She’s been here before.

YOU THINK YOU KNOW WHO YOU CAN TRUST

When Jamie claims to be at work late, she knows he’s lying. He’s with another woman, and she’s determined to catch him in the act.

YOU THINK YOU KNOW HOW THE STORY ENDS

But when Nadeeka arrives home to confront him, Jamie can’t explain himself. The house has become a crime scene…

Jamie is dead.

IT’S NOT WHAT YOU THINK

BUY HERE

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MY REVIEW:

Nadeeka is racing home, a sick feeling in the pit of her stomach after what she thinks she heard while talking to her boyfriend Jamie on the phone. She’s sure he’s having an affair. After all, she’s been here before. But when she gets home Jamie can’t explain himself. He’s dead. Murdered. And her home is a crime scene. But this is not what you think…

Clare Mackintosh has done it again! I finished this book a few days ago now and I’m not over it. This book really should come with a warning because my heart couldn’t take it! Heart-stopping, propulsive, addictive and unguessable, it had me on the edge of my seat from start to finish. This is a clear-your-schedule, lock out the world and read in one sitting kind of book and I did just that, devouring it in under a day.

Madly twisty, tense and unpredictable, this is everything you want a thriller to be. On the surface it’s a simple story and there’s a way you would expect it to unfold. But Clare doesn’t take that route. Expertly written, cleverly choreographed, tightly plotted and filled with charismatic characters, this is a book that keeps you on your toes. A sense of dread and unease pervades the whole story and you can’t shake the feeling that things are going to get so much worse for Nadeeka before they get better. I listened to this on Bookbeat and I have to mention the narrators. Not only did they bring the characters and story to life in vivid technicolour, they convey a feeling of urgency and suspense that has your heart pounding. At that point, I couldn’t have stopped listening even if I’d wanted to.

And we have to talk about the twists. Clare is known for them but this time she took things to another level, toying with the reader and carefully stitching misdirection into the narrative to make the reader look the wrong way and then pulling the rug out from under us. And she doesn’t do it just once. No. Every time I got comfortable and thought I knew where this was going she hit us with another jaw-dropping twist that changed everything I thought I knew. 

A nail-biting thrill ride that you won’t be able to put down, this is a must-read.

Rating: ✮✮✮✮✮

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

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ABOUT THE AUTHOR:

With more than two million copies of her books sold worldwide, number one bestseller Clare Mackintosh is the multi-award-winning author of I Let You Go, which was a Sunday Times and New York Times bestseller, and the fastest-selling title by a new UK crime writer in 2015. It also won the Theakston Old Peculier Crime Novel of the Year in 2016.

Both Clare’s second and third novels, I See You and Let Me Lie, were number one Sunday Times bestsellers and Richard & Judy Book Club picks. Clare’s novel After the End was published in June 2019 and spent seven weeks in the Sunday Times hardback bestseller chart, and in June 2021, Clare’s locked room thriller, Hostage, flew straight into the top ten.

In July 2022, Clare launched a crime series set on the border between England and Wales. It features Welsh detective DC Ffion Morgan and is currently being adapted for television. The first book in the series, The Last Party, was an instant Sunday Times bestseller. The sequel, A Game of Lies, publishes in July 2023.

Together, Clare’s books have been published in more than forty countries and have spent a combined total of 64 weeks in the Sunday Times bestseller lists.

Clare is patron of the Silver Star Society, a charity based at the John Radcliffe hospital in Oxford, which supports parents experiencing high-risk or difficult pregnancies. She lives in North Wales with her husband and their three children.

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Thanks for reading, Bibliophiles xxxx

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SQUADPOD FEATURED BOOKS: The Lottery Winner Widow’s Club by Elly Vine

Published March 26th, 2026 by Wildfire
Dark Comedy, Thriller, Mystery, Crime Fiction, Contemporary Fiction

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ABOUT THE BOOK:

Meet The Lottery Winner Widows Club – a fabulous, filthy-rich sisterhood whose husbands all hit the jackpot . . . and then mysteriously dropped dead.

Paula is having a surreal week. Having just lost her husband, in a freak car accident, she’s utterly gobsmacked when, two days later, she wins the lottery – with the ticket he bought.

That’s when Paula is approached by a tight-knit trio of glamorous women – also jackpot winners – with dead husbands, suspiciously large bank accounts . . . and a very specific interest in Paula.

They tell her that they’ve been where she is now. That grief looks good on her. That freedom does, too. There’s just one problem: Paula didn’t kill her husband. She loved him, of course.

But something about their world – lavish, secretive, thrilling – is hard to resist. And when word of Paula’s jackpot win spreads and others come sniffing around for a share, she’s faced with the ultimate choice: hold onto her old life, or accept help from her new friends, whose methods are a little more . . . unconventional.

Twisty, mischievous, and deliciously dark, The Lottery Winner Widows Club is a story of luck, lies, and the dangerous appeal of starting over, from a fresh new voice in the crime world.

BUY HERE

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MY REVIEW:

I think most of us have thought about what it would be like to win the lottery. But I doubt any of us imagine it turning out how it does for Paula Sheldon, who wins big the same week her husband John is killed in a freak accident. Things only get worse when the loan sharks come calling and she finds John’s notebook full of dark secrets. Life can’t get any crazier. Or so she thinks. Enter The Lottery Winner Widow’s Club – a group of glamorous, feisty and filthy rich women who hit the jackpot before their husbands mysteriously died. She might not have killed John like they think she did, but she can’t help but be drawn to these fascinating women and their luxurious lifestyles. But as news of Paula’s win spreads and rumours about her husband’s death begin to circulate, she is faced with a choice. Will return to the life she knows or accept the unconventional help of her new friends?

Wonderfully witty, outrageous, mischievous and compelling Elly Vine’s first foray into comedic crime fiction is a roaring success. Expertly written, cleverly plotted and full of twists, this hilarious crime caper had me hooked from start to finish. It’s a fabulous blend of female rage, murder and dark comedy that skillfully blends humour with more serious topics such as domestic abuse. Elly has written this sensitive topic so well and as a survivor I really appreciated her bringing awareness to the insidious and devastating realities of coercive control in a way that was moving, powerful and hilarious. 

I loved the charismatic characters of The Lottery Winner Widow’s Club and their absurd antics. I love nothing more than seeing women come together to support and help one another, and this sisterhood does exactly that. Paula was a great protagonist who I related to on many levels (though sadly not the lottery win part lol) but my favourite character was Teddy, the American force of nature who lit up every page she was on. It truly felt like together there was nothing these women couldn’t do and I was cheering them on at every step, even if their way of doing things wasn’t exactly above board.

Entertaining and hilarious, this is a must for your TBR.

Rating: ✮✮✮✮✰

Thanks to Wildfire for sending me a copy of the book in exchange for my honest review.

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ABOUT THE AUTHOR:

Elly Vine is thepseudonym of bestselling author, Lucy Vine. Lucy Vine is the author of novels Hot Mess, What Fresh Hell, Are We Nearly There Yet?, Bad Choices, Seven Exes, Date with Destiny and Book Boyfriend. Her eighth novel is Good For You. Her books have been published in seventeen territories, with Hot Mess optioned for a TV series in America. In a previous life, Lucy was a journalist, writing for publications including Grazia, Stylist, Heat, Fabulous, Marie Claire, Sugar and Cosmopolitan.

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Thanks for reading, Bibliophiles xxxxx

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BOOK REVIEW: Before Dorothy by Hazel Gaynor

Published June 19th, 2025 by Harper Fiction
Historical Fiction, Domestic Fiction

*I listened to this audiobook on Bookbeat. Click here to get a free 60 day trial*

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ABOUT THE BOOK:

The greatest journey is the one you least expect…

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Long before Dorothy visits Oz, her aunt, Emily Gale, sets off on her own unforgettable adventure much closer to home…

When news reaches Kansas that her beloved sister has tragically died, Emily Gale must become a mother overnight. Her sister’s orphaned child, Dorothy, desperately needs a home.

But Emily doubts her ability to fill her sister’s shoes; her life on the barren Kansas prairies is no place for a child.

On the unforgiving plains, Emily’s courage is endlessly tested. The prolonged drought and relentless dust storms threaten to destroy everything – including her home and her marriage.

Can Emily overcome her grief and let Dorothy heal her heart?

From the promise of Chicago in the 1920s to the harsh beauty of the Kansas prairie during the dust bowl of the 1930s, this is a story of family, duty and one woman’s journey of self-discovery.

BUY HERE

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MY REIVEW:

“We wouldn’t have had the wonderful if we’d never had the wicked. It’s all part of the same story, Henry. All connected.”

We all know the story of Dorothy and The Wizard of Oz. But what came before that? How did Dorothy come to live with Auntie Em and Uncle Henry? And who were they? Hazel Gaynor’s Before Dorothy answers all those questions and more. Transporting us back to the 1920s and 30s to discover who Emily Gale really was and how young Dorothy came to live in her care. 

As a life-long Ozian whose favourite genre is historical fiction, the moment I heard about this book I knew it was one I was going to love. But it was also one I was a little scared to read. Would it live up to the hype in my heart? The answer is a resounding ‘Yes!’ Imaginative, illuminating and utterly wonderful, this is a mesmerising tale. This book was an easy five stars for me and is my favourite book of the year so far. Exquisitely written, perfectly paced and meticulously researched, I love that not only was the historical detail intricate but Hazel has stitched Oz imagery into every facet of this story, making it read like a love letter to the original story. As someone who treasures the original so much, this was perfect. Her love for the story and characters is clear to see and I wasn’t surprised to read that Hazel is also an Ozian in the author’s note at the end of the book.

But this book is so much more than The Wizard of Oz. It stands strong as a story on its own merit, exploring topics such as motherhood and grief on its pages. Moving seamlessly between timelines we follow Emily Gale from her time in Chicago living with her sister, Annie to her collecting her young niece after her parents’ tragic death and then see her trying to learn how to be a mother. It’s a bumpy road filled with triumph and tragedy and Em’s emotions radiate from these pages, making it a very moving and emotional read at times. But most of all I loved getting to know this woman who has been a mystery to us for so long. Thank you Hazel for writing this story and bringing Auntie Em into the light after all this time. 

An absolute must-read for fans of historical fiction or Oz lovers. 

Rating: ✮✮✮✮✮

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

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ABOUT THE AUTHOR:

Hazel Gaynor is an award-winning New York Times, USA Today and international bestselling author known for her deeply moving historical novels which explore the defining events of the 20th century. A recipient of the 2015 RNA Historical Novel of the Year award for her debut, The Girl Who Came Home, her work has since been shortlisted for multiple awards in the USA, UK, and Ireland, including the 2019 HWA Gold Crown for The Lighthouse Keeper’s Daughter. Her most recent novel, The Last Lifeboat, was selected as a Times of London historical novel of the month, was shortlisted for the 2023 Irish Book Awards, and won the 2024 Audie Award for Best Fiction Narrator. Hazel’s co-written novels with Heather Webb have all been published to critical acclaim, and have been shortlisted for several international awards. Hazel’s work has been translated into twenty languages and is published in twenty-seven territories to date. She lives in Ireland with her family.

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Thanks for reading, Bibliophiles xxxxx

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BOOK REVIEW: The Governess by Wendy Holden

Published August 20th, 2020 by Welbeck Publishing
Historical Fiction, Biographical Fiction

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ABOUT THE BOOK:

Before there was Elizabeth, there was Lilibet…

‘A hugely entertaining, emotionally satisfying story of love and loyalty’DAILY MAIL

‘A poignant, fictional reimagining of a woman condemned by history, with plenty of modern-day echoes’MAIL ON SUNDAY
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She Came From Nothing . . . and Raised a Queen

The drama of the Abdication, the glamour of the Coronation, the trauma of World War II – Marion Crawford, affectionately known as Crawfie, stood by the side of the royal family through it all.

In 1933, a progressive young teacher became governess to the little Princesses Elizabeth and Margaret. Determined to give her pupils a fun and normal childhood, she took them on buses, swimming at public baths and Christmas shopping at Woolworths.

For seventeen years she served at the heart of the royal family. But her devotion and loyalty counted for nothing when a perceived betrayal brought everything crashing down.

This sweeping, sumptuous novel brings her long-buried story to life and shines a completely new and captivating light into the world’s most famous family.

BUY HERE

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MY REVIEW:

Sweeping, sensitive, poignant and absorbing, this is a wonderful reimagining of the life of the little-known woman who came from nothing to become the governess to a future Queen. It is also a fictionalised account of Princesses Elizabeth and Margaret’s childhoods, told through the eyes of their governess, Marion Crawford, known affectionately as ‘Crawfie’.

Marion was no ordinary governess. Sassy, independent, innovative and progressive, she was a trailblazer who set out to teach the young Royals about normal life, how poor people live, equal opportunities, social justice and feminism. She introduced fun and normalcy into the Princesses’ lives, taking them for trips on the Underground, bus rides, swimming lessons and shopping for Christmas gifts at Woolworths. Her original ambition was to teach children in the slums and she only took the position with the then Duke and Duchess of York on a temporary basis. That temporary job turned into seventeen years of loyal and devoted service, before a perceived betrayal saw her dismissed from her position and banished from the Royal Family’s lives.

Wonderfully written and meticulously researched, Wendy Holden has created a book that reads like an autobiography rather than fiction. She strips away the pomp, ceremony and stiffness of Britain’s First Family to give us an intimate glimpse into their lives and personalities. We are so used to seeing the royals surrounded by glamour and doing their public duties that it was fascinating to see them humanised at home. I quickly took the caring and anxious Princess Elizabeth into my heart and enjoyed reading the exploits of the mischievous Princess Margaret. Woven into the narrative is a backdrop featuring some of the most dramatic events in history including the devastating Abdication of King Edward VII, the glamorous Coronation of King George VII, and the terror and trauma of World War II. Holden has also intertwined themes such as feminism, civil rights, poverty and privilege, allowing us to see how life really was for many people during the 1930s and 40s.

Powerful, moving and utterly captivating, this is a must for historical fiction fans.

Rating: 👑👑👑👑

Thank you Welbeck for sending me a proof copy of this book

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ABOUT THE AUTHOR:

From Amazon: I’m a No 1 bestselling novelist whose 21 books have sold over 3m copies in 14 languages worldwide. 10 of my titles have been top 10 bestsellers in hardback and paperback. My experience on glossy magazines was the inspiration for my debut, the smash-hit comedy Simply Divine.

I then pivoted to historical fiction with the bestselling Windsor Trilogy. The Governess was about Marion ‘Crawfie’ Crawford, the young Scottish teacher who brought fun and normality to the childhood of Elizabeth II. The Duchess explored the incredible rise of Wallis Simpson whilst The Princess traced the young Diana Spencer’s extraordinary path to the altar.

The Queen’s Painter, my latest novel, has Tudor artist Hans Holbein as its hero. Henry VIII’s court has been novelised every which way, but never from the point of view of the man who was its ultimate insider. Who observed it all so closely and knew and painted every major figure. But what did Hans make of the bloody dramas for which he had a ringside easel? In particular, the death of Anne Boleyn, his first patron and long-time friend. Did he use his genius to get revenge? Out June 18 from Mountain Lion Press.

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SQUADPOD BOOK CLUB REVIEW: Unreliable Narrator by Araminta Hall

Published March 5th, 2026 by Pan Macmillan
Mystery, Suspense, Psychological Fiction

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ABOUT THE AUTHOR:

YOUR SECRETS AREN’T SAFE.

Ten years ago, Hope left Somerset with a fatal secret and a broken heart. She has spent a decade in the shadows, living a quiet life of penance to protect the man she once loved – the world-famous author Ambrose Glencourt.

YOUR LIFE IS NOT YOUR OWN.

Then, she opens his latest bestseller. To the world, it’s a brilliant work of fiction. To Hope, it’s a betrayal. Every private moment, every dark truth, and every ‘fatal disaster’ from that summer is laid bare on the page.

YOUR TRUTH IS A LIE.

But Ambrose has changed the ending. In his version of the story, Hope isn’t the victim. She’s the villain.

Now, Hope must step out of the shadows to reclaim her narrative. But in a world of glamorous elites and whispered secrets, who will believe the word of an unreliable woman against the word of a literary icon?

Two narrators. One truth. And a secret worth killing for.

BUY HERE

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MY REVIEW:

For the last decade Hope has lived a reclusive life in penance for the tragic events that happened at Shadowlands. She swore to protect those she cared about and has taken that promise seriously. Then she sees author Ambrose Glencourt on TV promoting his new book. When she opens it she discovers he has taken not only every private moment from that summer at Shadowlands, but their shared secret, and turned it into a novel. And when she gets to the end and discovers that in Ambrose’s version she is no longer the victim but the villain. Angry and betrayed, Hope decides she has only one choice. To step out of the shadows and tell the world the truth about what happened. But who will they believe?

The first part of the book takes us back to Hope’s summer at Shadowlands, when she worked as Ambrose’s assistant. It’s a summer of self-discovery and falling in love. But it is also one of tragedy and we know something terrible happened that summer that Hope has been keeping secret ever since, creating an atmosphere of tension and foreboding that lingers over every word. By part two the secret has been revealed to the reader, but only from Hope’s perspective. And after DI Natalie Evans goes to the Glencourts for their version of events, they tell her that Hope’s mental health problems and obsession with Ambrose make her an unreliable narrator. Natalie must decide who is telling the truth, beginning an investigation that peels back the layers of lies and misdirection to expose shocking truths that pull the rug out from under you. 

Unreliable narrators are my favourite trope, especially in thrillers. So the title of this book alone was enough to add it to my TBR, but when I read the synopsis I was even more intrigued. Razor-sharp, suspenseful, forbidding, twisty and thought-provoking, Unreliable Narrator is a heart-stopping thriller that had me on the edge of my seat from start to finish. Skillfully written, cleverly choreographed and filled with twists I never saw coming, this book is like a can of pringles and I couldn’t stop reading once I’d started. Araminta Hall had me in the palm of her hand as she spun her tangled web of secrets, lies, betrayal and murder. But this book also makes you think as Ms. Hall asks how much we can really trust our own memories and explores themes of misogyny and abuse. The characters are richly drawn and hold your attention. Hope is a fascinating protagonist and I enjoyed trying to figure out if she was telling us the truth. The others are harder to figure out as for much of the story we only see them through Hope’s lens and I enjoyed how part two made me question everything I thought I knew. 

A must-read for all thriller fans.

Rating: ✮✮✮✮✰

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

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ABOUT THE AUTHOR:

From her website: I live by the sea in Brighton, on the south coast of England, with my husband and three children who come and go between universities and flat shares. Most of my time is spent in my writing cabin battling words, but I also love walking my dog on the beach, doing a bit of very amateur gardening, seeing friends and reading, reading, reading.

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BOOK REVIEW: Butter by Asako Yuzuki

Published February 29th, 2024 by 4th Estate
Crime Fiction, Mystery, Thriller, Suspense, Psychological Fiction, Translated Fiction

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ABOUT THE BOOK:

WINNER OF WATERSTONES BOOK OF THE YEAR 2024

SHORTLISTED FOR THE BRITISH BOOK AWARDS DEBUT NOVEL OF THE YEAR 2025

THE NUMBER 1 SUNDAY TIMES BESTSELLER

A BBC BETWEEN THE COVERS BOOK CLUB PICK

‘A full-fat, Michelin-starred treat’ THE SUNDAY TIMES

‘I have been glued to Asako Yuzuki’s new novel Butter’ NIGEL SLATER

The cult Japanese bestseller about a female gourmet cook and serial killer and the journalist intent on cracking her case, inspired by a true story, and translated by Polly Barton.

There are two things that I can simply not tolerate: feminists and margarine.

Gourmet cook Manako Kajii sits in Tokyo Detention Centre convicted of the serial murders of lonely businessmen, who she is said to have seduced with her delicious home cooking. The case has captured the nation’s imagination but Kajii refuses to speak with the press, entertaining no visitors. That is, until journalist Rika Machida writes a letter asking for her recipe for beef stew and Kajii can’t resist writing back.

Rika, the only woman in her news office, works late each night, rarely cooking more than ramen. As the visits unfold between her and the steely Kajii, they are closer to a masterclass in food than journalistic research. Rika hopes this gastronomic exchange will help her soften Kajii but it seems that she might be the one changing. With each meal she eats, something is awakening in her body, might she and Kaji have more in common than she once thought?

Inspired by the real case of the convicted con woman and serial killer, “The Konkatsu Killer”, Asako Yuzuki’s Butter is a vivid, unsettling exploration of misogyny, obsession, romance and the transgressive pleasures of food in Japan.

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MY REVIEW:

Food and murder. The perfect recipe for a great read.

Manako Kaji is a convicted serial killer who used a dating service to pick her victims, who she seduced with her delicious home cooking. Her case captured the nation’s imagination but she has always refused to speak to the press. Until journalist Rika Machida sent her a letter asking for her recipe for beef stew. After all, she may not want to talk about her case, but Manako will always talk about food. What follows is a mesmerising story about food, sex, murder, misogyny and obsession that is impossible to forget. 

Captivating, mysterious, sensuous, quirky and uncompromising, Butter is a magnificent debut. This cult Japanese bestseller was a highly  anticipated read for me. I finally read it with my book club last year and seeing all the hype on bookstagram had me even more excited to finally experience it for myself. I wasn’t disappointed. Asako Yuzuki is a masterful storyteller who has created a love letter to good food mixed with mystery, wit, tension, murder and feminist rage. A feast for your senses, food plays a huge role and there are an array of mouthwatering descriptions of food that made my stomach rumble. Asako also looks at the role food plays in sensuality and pleasure, exploring how eating can be a sensual experience or used to seduce, as Manako did with her victims. But it also explores Japan’s beauty culture and obsession with being slim, leading to lots of criticism of Manako’s curvier appearance and Asako explores the societal expectations and sexism that accompany it. 

The characters in this book are richly drawn and unforgettable. The two main characters are strong and formidable women who I loved reading. Rika was likeable and easy to root for, and her hunger to interview Manako and fascination with the case was relatable to this true crime aficionado. Meanwhile Manako herself is an unsettling character that lingers in your mind. And knowing she’s based on the real serial killer, ‘The Konkatsu Killer’, only makes her all the more terrifying. 

I devoured this darkly delicious thriller hungrily, reading it in under a day. It’s easy to see why it took  the literary world and bookstagram by storm and has received numerous awards. I can’t wait to read more from Asako.

Rating: ✮✮✮✮.5

Thank you to 4th Estate for sending me a copy of the book in exchange for my honest review.

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ABOUT THE AUTHOR:

Asako Yuzuki (柚木 麻子, Yuzuki Asako) is a Japanese writer. She won the All Yomimono Prize for New Writers and the Yamamoto Shūgorō Prize. Asako has been nominated multiple times for the Naoki Prize, and her novels have been adapted for television, radio, and film.

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ABOUT THE TRANSLATOR:

Polly Barton is a writer and Japanese translator based in Bristol. In 2019, she won the Fitzcarraldo Editions Essay Prize, and her debut book Fifty Sounds , a personal dictionary of the Japanese language, was published in the UK by Fitzcarraldo Editions in April 2021. In 2022, Fifty Sounds was shortlisted for the 2022 Stanford Dolman Travel Book of the Year.

Her translations have featured in Granta, Catapult, The White Review and Words Without Borders and her full length translations include Spring Garden by Tomoka Shibasaki (Pushkin Press), Where the Wild Ladies Are by Aoko Matsuda (Tilted Axis Press/Soft Skull), which was shortlisted for the Ray Bradbury Prize, and There’s No Such Thing as an Easy Job by Kikuko Tsumura (Bloomsbury).

Her new book, Porn: An Oral History , will be published by Fitzcarraldo Editions (UK) in March 2023 and La Nave di Teseo (Italy).

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Audio Books book reviews Emma's Anticipated Treasures

BOOK REVIEW: Eye For An Eye by M. J. Arlidge

Published July 20th, 2023 by Orion
Legal Thriller, Crime Fiction, Thriller

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ABOUT THE BOOK:

OUR MOST NOTORIOUS CRIMINALS HAVE HIDDEN IN PLAIN SIGHT.
UNTIL NOW…

‘Emily’ is a devoted single mother.
‘Jack’ starts a new job in a new town.
‘Russell’ may be falling in love.

They all share the same secret:
none of them are who they say they are.

They are among only nine criminals in the UK who have been granted lifelong anonymity, for their own safety, because of their terrible crimes.

But what if someone exposed their true identities to the families of their victims, who are desperate for revenge?

Probation officer Olivia Campbell is caught in the crossfire of this unprecedented crisis – and as the hunt for the mole behind it all intensifies, so too does the search for the vigilante killers let loose by the leaks…

Everyone is a suspect. Anyone could be a killer.
Who deserves justice? And who gets to decide?

#EyeForAnEye

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MY REVIEW:

There are only nine criminals in the UK who have been granted lifelong anonymity. It is for their own safety, because of how terrible their crimes were. But what would happen if someone exposed their true identities to the families of their victims? 

As soon as I read that heart-stopping synopsis I knew I had to read this thriller. Of course, I will also read anything that M. J. Arlidge writes. And this standalone thriller is sensational. Malevolent, suspenseful, harrowing, emotive and thought-provoking, I was in Arlidge’s thrall from the start. Terror oozes from the first page, and there is a harrowing sense of foreboding throughout. There’s a huge cast of characters but it never feels confusing, seamlessly moving between them as we are taken on a journey filled with vengeance, danger, fear and fury.

This book will make you question your own moral compass and forces you to confront your own sense of what justice looks like. Should those who commit terrible crimes live safely in secrecy or should the families of their victims be allowed vengeance? It’s not an easy moral dilemma. After all, my instinct is to say they should never be released from prison and if they are, their fate should be up to their victims’ families. 

There are two sides to every story and Arlidge explores the shades of grey that exist in every situation, writing with nuance as he dissects the crimes and their repercussions. He also humanises these ‘evil’ children, allowing us to see past their atrocities, connect with them and condemn the vigilante justice. But then he flips the script, showing us the pain, rage and devastation of the victims’ families and how they feel let down by the justice system. In the middle of all this is Probation Officer Olivia Campbell, the woman who is caught in the crossfire between perpetrators and victims. Olivia is racing against the clock in a desperate search to find the mole who leaked the information and hunting down the vigilantes who are hell-bent on revenge.

A twisty thriller that will keep you on your toes until the last page, this is a must-read.

Rating: ✮✮✮✮.5

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ABOUT THE AUTHOR:

M. J. Arlidge is the international bestselling author of the Detective Helen Grace Thrillers, including Pop Goes the Weasel and his debut, Eeny Meeny, which has been sold in twenty-five countries. He lives in England and works in television.

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Thanks for reading, Bibliophiles xxxx