Tag: 4.5 stars

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book reviews Emma's Anticipated Treasures

SQUADPOD FEATURED BOOKS: Other People’s Houses (DC Morgan, Book 3) by Clare Mackintosh

Published February 27th, 2025 by Sphere
Thriller, Mystery, Crime Fiction, Suspense, Police Procedural, Crime Series

Welcome to my review for this tense and twisty thriller. Thank you to Sphere for sending me a proof copy of the book in exchange for my honest review.

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ABOUT THE BOOK:

The stunning new thriller from the author who brought you the jaw-dropping twist of I Let You Go, the gasp-out-loud ending of Let Me Lie, and the loveable, unpredictable Ffion Morgan in The Last Party and A Game of Lies.

Even on the most desirable street, there’s a dark side . . .

The Hill is the kind of place everyone wants to live: luxurious, exclusive and safe. But now someone is breaking and entering these Cheshire homes one by one, and DS Leo Brady suspects the burglar is looking for something, or someone, in particular.

Over the border in Wales, DC Ffion Morgan recovers the body of an estate agent from the lake. There’s no love lost between Ffion and estate agents, but who hated this one enough to want her dead – and why?

As their cases collide, Ffion and Leo discover people will pay a high price to keep their secrets behind closed doors . . .

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MY REVIEW:

Tense, twisty and totally addictive, Other People’s Houses is another sensational thriller from Clare Mackintosh. The third book in her DC Morgan series sees Ffion Morgan investigating the murder of an estate agent found dead in a kayak. Meanwhile, Ffion’s boyfriend Leo Brady is investigating a spate of burglaries in one of Cheshire’s most desirable postcodes, The Hill. As the evidence points to connections in their cases, secrets are revealed that will show just how far some will go to keep their secrets hidden.

Clare Mackintosh has knocked it out of the park once again. Mackintosh has long been an auto-buy author for me and I’ve been a fan of this series ever since the first book, but I think this installment is my favourite yet. Skillfully written, intricately interwoven, pacy and full of twists, Mackintosh knows how to keep her reader hooked. Her previous employment as a Police Officer is evident in the small details and how expertly she writes the inner workings of a police investigation, pulling you in and making you feel like you’ve stepped inside a real investigation. Ffiion and Leo feel like old friends at this point and I love returning to them. I’m totally invested in their relationship. Her feistiness is so perfectly paired with his laid back personality and I can’t wait to see what’s next for them.

Not everything that glitters is gold, and we see the perfect example of that in this story. The luxury of the opulent homes on The Hill hides secrets, lies and deceptions that lead to the crimes now being investigated. But just how deep do these secrets and lies run? And how much darkness are they hiding? I loved this storyline and the authentic vibe this snobby community and its residents had but was unprepared for what would be revealed as Mackintosh carefully revealed her clues, some hidden in plain sight but misunderstood until later, keeping you guessing until the big reveal. And that ending! I was not prepared for all of those emotions. I’m going to need book four ASAP.

Rating: ✮✮✮✮.5

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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 bestseller and the fastest-selling title by a new 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. All three of her books were selected for the Richard & Judy Book Club. Clare’s latest novel, After the End, was published in June 2019 and spent seven weeks in the Sunday Times hardback bestseller chart.

Clare’s thriller, Hostage, was published in June 2021, and her latest thriller, The Last Party, which is the first in a new crime series, is published in August 2022.

Together, Clare’s books have been published in more than forty countries. 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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book reviews Emma's Anticipated Treasures Respect Rom Fic Romance Rocks Squadpod Squadpod Book Club Squadpod Featured Books Squadpod Reviews

SQUADPOD BOOK CLUB: The Last Days of Summer by Sarra Manning

Published March 27th, 2025 by Hodder & Stoughton
Romcom, Romance, Romatic Comedy, Humorous Fiction

Welcome to my review for this spicy and heartfelt romcom. Thank you to Hodder and Stoughton for sending me a proof copy in exchange for my honest review.

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ABOUT THE BOOK:

Sometimes all it takes is one long summer weekend for the person you thought you hated to become something more…

‘It’s about friendship, it’s about life, it’s about how people change . . . I loved it very much’ MARIAN KEYES
‘Funny, filled with emotion and very, very sexy! Add it to your 2025 TBR pile immediately…’ BETH O’LEARY
‘I laughed out loud, cried until I was a husk and finished it feeling refreshed, renewed, and looking at life a little bit differently. It’s a summer I never wanted to end’ CRESSIDA MCLAUGHLIN
‘Your favourite writer’s favourite writer . . . fun, sexy, bittersweet and utterly romantic, I fell head over heels for Cassie and Marc’ LINDSEY KELK
‘Expertly crafted, extremely loveable and a perfect balance of wit, heart and smut’ LAUREN BRAVO
****

After a disastrous first meeting, Cassie and Marc become arch nemeses. He might have great cheekbones and a sexy French accent but he’s a terrible person who did a terrible thing. Too bad that Cassie’s best friends Lucy and Russell think he’s wonderful.

But years later, when an unexpected tragedy strikes their friendship group, Cassie and Marc team up to give Lucy and Russell the best weekend ever so they can make new memories with all of their favourite people. Which means convincing everyone that Cassie and Marc are head over heels in love.

After hating him for so long, it takes four bittersweet days for Cassie to wonder if she got Marc all wrong. Can they let go of their troubled past and together, face whatever the future is going to throw at them?

⭐Enemies to lovers
⭐Fake relationship
⭐Grumpy / sunshine
⭐Heartfelt and emotional
⭐True love
⭐Hot, French, male main character
⭐Spicy, including a walk-in pantry scene…

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MY REVIEW:

Cassie and Marc have been the archest of nemeses ever since their disastrous first meeting sixteen years ago. She knows that beyond his sexy French good looks is a terrible person, even if her friends seem to like him. But now an unexpected tragedy forces Cassie and Marc to work together to give their mutual friends, Lucy and Russell, the best weekend ever. And to make things worse, they must pretend to be in love. As the weekend unfolds, Cassie begins to see Marc in a new light. Could her arch enemy actually be the man she’s been waiting for all this time?

Sarra Manning never fails to deliver. A delightful and funny romcom filled with depth that made me feel all the feelings,  The Last Days of Summer was the perfect pick for our SquadPod Book Club this month. This is Manning at her best. The enemies to lovers storyline radiates hatred and chemistry, the spice is sizzling, the humour is sharp, and the emotions are heartbreaking. Heartfelt but hopeful,  it had me glued to the pages and I devoured it in under a day. 

Cassie and Marc are compelling characters who immediately drew me in. I loved how different they were and the added mystery of a secret history between them that was at the root of their mutual distaste. Their best friends, Lucy and Russell, were also brilliantly written, pulling on my heartstrings with their tragic storyline that I’m not ashamed to say brought tears to my eyes a few times. Their love radiated from the pages and I understood Cassie’s mixed feelings of jealousy at the love they shared and grief at what was happening to them. As the story, and the weekend away, progressed, I was glued to the pages by Cassie and Marc’s will they/won’t they romance. I really related to Cassie as Manning expertly portrayed the fear, insecurities, hurt and resentment she was feeling. I wanted her to find the love she longed for, and after seeing how red-hot her chemistry was with Marc, I wanted her to find it with him. 

So, if you’re looking for a spicy but emotional romcom to read in the sun, this is for you.

Rating: ✮✮✮✮.5

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ABOUT THE AUTHOR:

Sarra Manning has been a voracious reader for over forty years and a prolific author and journalist for twenty five.

Her novels, which have been translated into fifteen different languages include Unsticky, You Don’t Have To Say You Love Me, After The Last Dance, The Rise And Fall Of Becky Sharp and her latest, Rescue Me, which publishes in 2021. Sarra has also written over fifteen YA novels, and four light-hearted romantic comedies under a pseudonym.

She started her writing career on Melody Maker and Just Seventeen, has been editor of ElleGirl and What To Wear and has also contributed to The Guardian, ELLE, Grazia, Stylist, Fabulous, Stella, You Magazine, Harper’s Bazaar and is currently the Literary Editor of Red magazine.

Sarra has also been a Costa Book Awards judge and has been nominated for various writing awards herself.

She lives in London surrounded by piles and piles of books.

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BUY THE BOOK:

Bookshop.org* | Waterstones* | Amazon*
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Thanks for reading, Bibliophiles xxxx

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book reviews Emma's Anticipated Treasures Most Anticipated 2025 Readalong

READALONG REVIEW: A Fortune Most Fatal (Miss Austen Investigates, Book 2) by Jessica Bull

Published March 27th, 2025 by Michael Joseph
Mystery, Historical Ficiton, Historical Mystery, Cozy Mystery, Crime Fiction, Thriller, Regency Romance

Welcome to my review for this delightful cosy mystery. Thank you to Insta Book Tours for my spot on the readalong and Micheal Joseph for sending me a copy of the book in exchange for my honest review.

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ABOUT THE BOOK:

A Mysterious Stranger, a Fortune at Stake, and a Race Against Time to Save Austen’s Family – perfect for fans of Richard Osman and Bridgerton!


‘Exceptional – the Austen whodunnit I feel like I’ve been waiting my whole life for! I loved it’ SOPHIE IRWIN

–

‘Who are you, Miss Austen, but a young lady of little experience and no consequence?’

Welcome to Godmersham Park, 1797.

Following many years apart, Jane Austen is set to spend the summer with her estranged brother, Neddy.

As heir to wealthy widow Mrs Knight’s fortune, it is imperative that Neddy stays in his benefactor’s good graces.

But upon arrival in Kent, Jane quickly realises Neddy is in dire need of her help.

For a mysterious young woman named Eleanor currently resides with Mrs Knight – a stranger who threatens to swindle the inheritance for herself.

Jane must uncover who Mrs Knight’s guest really is, to protect the fate of her entire family. When she discovers a series of threatening letters meant for Eleanor, her investigation takes an unexpected turn.

Because the dangers aren’t just within the walls of Godmersham Park. Jane knows someone else is out there watching, waiting – but for what?

Is this curious Eleanor friend, or foe? And can Jane solve the mystery, before danger comes for them all?

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MY REVIEW:

“I’m not sure one can be brave without being reckless.”

June, 1797. Jane Austen travels to Kent to be with her sister-in-law, Elizabeth, at the birth of her fourth child and to help with her other three children. Elizabeth is married to Neddy, Jane’s older brother who was adopted as a child and is heir to the fortune of Mrs. Knight. But that fortune hangs in the balance after the arrival of a mysterious and strange young woman, Eleanor, who claims to be a kidnapped Spanish Princess. Jane sets out to uncover Eleanor’s identity and track down the man penning threatening letters that keep arriving for Eleanor at Godmersham Park. Can Jane solve the mystery before it’s too late?

Atmospheric, enthralling and uplifting, this Regency cosy mystery is everything I wanted and more. The second book in the Miss Austen Investigates series, A Fortune Most Fatal is the famous author as you’ve never seen her before: a wannabe author pre-literary success rallying against societal norms that would see the 21 year old married. Not only that, but this version of Miss Austen sees her taking up as an amateur detective. Expertly written, meticulously researched, evocative and compelling, Jessica Bull transports you back to the 18th century so vividly I got lost there. And it’s so authentic I kept forgetting it was a work of fiction.

The characters leap from the pages and Jane was such a protagonist I can get behind. Intelligent, feisty and determined, I loved her loyalty to her family, how she spoke her mind, and that her writing was clearly her beating heart. Predictably, she came up against the prejudices against women that were rife at the time, but Jane wasn’t afraid to challenge them in her quest for the truth. Eleanor was strange, mysterious and intriguing. I couldn’t decide if she was mentally unwell or a complete charlatan, and enjoyed the extra tension that added to the story. Jane is suspicious of almost everyone so there’s a real sense that you can’t trust a soul, making it feel like it’s Jane against the world and I was rooting for her to save everyone.

Delightful, entertaining and addictive, this is a must for your TBR.

Rating: ✮✮✮✮.5

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ABOUT THE AUTHOR:

Jessica Bull grew up in South East London, where she still lives 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 work 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, has sold in eighteen territories and counting. A Fortune Most Fatal is the highly-anticipated second book in the series.

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BUY THE BOOK:

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Thanks for reading, Bibliophiles xxxx

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Blog Tours book reviews Emma's Anticipated Treasures Most Anticipated 2025

BLOG TOUR: Small Fires by Ronnie Turner

Published February 27th, 2025 by Orenda Books
Gothic Fiction, Suspense, Psychological Thriller, Horror Fiction, Crime Fiction, Noir Fiction, Supernatural Fiction

Welcome to my stop on the blog tour for the haunting and hypnotic Small Fires. Thank you to Anne at Random Things Tours for the invitation to take part, and to Orenda for sending me a copy of the book in exchange for my honest review.

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ABOUT THE BOOK:

Suspected of murdering their parents, sisters Lily and Della flee to a strange, unnamed island in Scotland, and their arrival puts in motion a horrifying series of events… Literary suspense meets folk horror in 2025’s most original, mesmerising modern gothic masterpiece…

‘A deeply unsettling and thought-provoking tale of survival and storytelling, mixing elements of gothic and folk horror with literary suspense. Beautifully woven and eerily atmospheric’ Anna Mazzola
 
‘Rarely will you meet a story as unsettling, nor one as bewitchingly told. With its roots snaking into folk horror, Small Fires plays with the contemporary gothic vibe reminiscent of Midsommar and The Wicker Man … I challenge you to pick it up and when you do, to put it down’ Janice Hallett
 
‘Ronnie Turner has a way of weaving words into a spell – the darkest of spells. Mesmerising, sinister … this modern folklore gothic will chill you to the bone’ Essie Fox
 
‘Crackles with menace and authenticity. Kept me up late and crept into my dreams’ Sarah Hilary
 
____________________________________
 
Evil runs through this cursed island
And these wicked sisters are about to make it burn…

When sisters Lily and Della Pedley are persecuted for the shocking murder of their parents, they flee from their home in Cornwall to a remote and unnamed island in Scotland – an island known for its strange happenings, but far away from the whispers and prying eyes of strangers.
 
Lily is terrified of what her sister will might do next, and she soon realises that they have arrived at a place where nothing is as it seems. A bitterness runs through the land like poison, and the stories told by the islanders seem to be far more than folklore.
 
Della settles in too easily, the island folk drawn to her strangeness, but Lily is plagued by odd and unsettling dreams, and as an annual festival draws nigh, she discovers that she has far more to fear than she could ever have imagined. Or does she…?
 
Chilling, atmospheric and utterly hypnotic, Small Fires is a contemporary gothic novel that examines possession, generational trauma, female rage, and the perilous bonds of family – an unsettling reminder that the stories we tell can be deadly…

Midsommar meets Midnight Mass in a folk horror, modern gothic masterpiece.

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MY REVIEW:

“They say the Devil came here. He fell to the earth long ago and he never left.”

Murderesses. Witches. Pariahs. These are the names that were used to describe Lily and Della Pedley. Suspected of murdering their parents, their gruesome history precedes them everywhere they go. Even on an isolated and unnamed Scottish Island where the Devil is said to have fallen and made his home beneath the soil. As the sisters try to start anew on the island, whispers and judgement surround them as they unknowingly set in motion a nightmarish chain of events. 

Atmospheric, haunting and hypnotic, Small Fires reads like a dark and twisted fairytale. Mired in darkness from its opening pages, malevolence drips from every word of this magnificent gothic mystery. A masterful sinister storyteller, Ronnie Turner merges gorgeous literary fiction with nail-biting horror and suspense to create her own unique fiction recipe. Her choreography is exquisite; a sense of dread permeating the pages as she hides the poison in plain sight, coiled like a viper waiting to strike. She is adept at putting her reader off-kilter with red herrings until she’s ready to floor you with one of her shocking revelations. Elements of Scottish and Cornish folklore are woven throughout as Turner explores the role stories play in our lives, asking how they inspire and shape us, and how they shape our perception of others. She also explores themes of identity, examining how each of us can have many different identities, some that are thrust upon us and others we might hide behind. 

Told by multiple characters in dual timelines, the story is filled with richly drawn characters who are also deeply unnerving. At the heart of the story is sisters Lily and Della, one bitter and one sweet, with a harrowing and notorious past. Though part of their story is known, there is a lot of mystery that surrounds them. Our other narrator is Silas, a strange and curious individual with an equally mysterious history. Flashbacks allow us glimpses inside the pasts of all three characters, slowly revealing disturbing truths that they’ve tried to keep hidden. And then there was the island itself, which felt alive and like a character in its own right thanks to the myths and folklore about the devil dwelling below ground that surround it. 

A dark and unsettling gothic thriller that will have you on the edge of your seat from start to finish, Small Fires is a must read. 

Rating: ✮✮✮✮.5

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ABOUT THE AUTHOR:

Ronnie Turner grew up in Cornwall, the youngest in a large family. At an early age, she discovered a love of literature. She now works as a Senior Waterstones Bookseller and barista. Ronnie lives in the South West with her family and three dogs. In her spare time, she enjoys traveling and taking long walks on the coast.

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BUY THE BOOK:

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

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Thanks for reading, Bibliophiles xxxx

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

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Blog Tours book reviews Emma's Anticipated Treasures Most Anticipated 2025

BLOG TOUR: The Bones Beneath My Skin by TJ Klune

Published February 6th, 2025 by Tor
Science Fiction, Contemporary Fantasy, Gay Ficiton, Paranormal Fantasy

Welcome to my stop on the blog tour for this heartwarming and extraodrinary story. Thank you to Stephen at Black Crow PR for inviting me to take part and to Tor for sending me a copy of the book in exchange for my honest review.

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ABOUT THE BOOK:

‘The sci-fi romance adventure you never knew you needed’
– Jennifer L. Armentrout, author of Fall of Ruin and Wrath

An action-packed supernatural road trip featuring an extraordinary young girl and her two unlikely protectors. The Bones Beneath My Skin is a gripping, heartfelt story that explores what it means to be human – by bestselling author of The House in the Cerulean Sea, TJ Klune.

**ALL first edition hardback copies feature delightful designed sprayed edges – available while stock lasts**

He lost everything. Then he found himself . . .

In the spring of 1995, Nate Cartwright is at a loose end: his parents are dead, his older brother has disowned him, and he’s been fired from his job. Looking for a sense of direction, he returns to his family’s summer cabin in Oregon.

The cabin should be empty – but it’s not. Inside is a man named Alex, and an extraordinary little girl who calls herself Artemis Darth Vader. There’s far more to Art than meets the eye. But as Alex and Nate bond over just how special she truly is, they discover that powerful forces are closing in – forces that want nothing more than to control her.

As danger draws near, Nate decide whether to drown in the memories of his past, or fight for Art and a future he never thought possible.

With his uplifting tales of hope and redemption, there is a TJ Klune book for every reader.

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“I didn’t get that. Not before. I don’t think any of us did. Not until they felt a heart beating in a chest like I have. Not until I felt bones beneath my skin. We’re not alike. Not really. We’re separated by time and space. And yet, somehow, we’re all made of dust and stars .”

Witty, weird and wonderful, The Bones Beneath My Skin is another hit from master storyteller TJ Klune. It is a story of a strange and extraordinary little girl and her two unlikely protectors, following them as they embark on an action-packed road trip to safety. A story of found family, love, hope and what it means to be human, this book warmed me from the inside and I devoured it in under a day. I’ll admit, I’m not usually a sci-fi girlie, but I know I’ve loved everything I’d read so far by Mr. Klune so I decided to give it a chance. And I’m glad I did. This story is truly original and like nothing I’ve read before. It has a bit of everything: romance, mystery, sci-fi, fantasy and coming-of-age saga, all perfectly blended together to create a compelling tale that kept me on the edge of my seat. 

The story starts in March, 1995. Nate Cartwright’s life is a mess. His parents just died and he’s been fired. So he decides to spend the summer in the secluded cabin in the woods that his parents left him, hoping it will help him find a new direction in life. But when he arrives the cabin isn’t empty. Instead he’s confronted by a man with a gun and a little girl who says her name is Artemis Darth Vader. But Art is no ordinary little girl. She is special, strange and endearing, while Alex is standoffish and overprotective. But over time Alex and Nate bond. And when the people Alex is trying to protect Art from track them down, Nate decides to flee with them on a road-trip fraught with danger and an unknown destination.

The three main characters are richly drawn, fascinating and unforgettable. Nate is the ‘everyman’ who most of us will find easiest to relate to, but I loved reading gruff Alex and quirky Art, too. I had a particular soft spot for Art and loved this astonishing young girl. I liked that even though the three of them are so different they come together to create a heartwarming found family that anyone would love to be part of (minus the gun-wielding men chasing them) and I was rooting for them to get Art to safety. 

A remarkable and moving story for anyone who has ever felt like they don’t belong, I highly recommend this book. 

Rating: ✮✮✮✮.5

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ABOUT THE AUTHOR:

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

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BUY THE BOOK:

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

********

Thanks for reading, Bibliophiles xxxx

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

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book reviews Emma's Anticipated Treasures Most Anticipated 2025

BOOK REVIEW: The Psychopath Next Door by Mark Edwards

Published January 28th, 2025 by Thomas & Mercer
Suspense, Psychological Fiction, Crime Fiction, Thriller, Mystery

Happy Publication Day to this heart-pounding thriller. Thank you Mark Edwards for sending an eBook ARC in exchange for my honest review.

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ABOUT THE BOOK:

In this mesmerising thriller from the bestselling author of Keep Her Secret, a family’s fresh start is just the beginning of their nightmare…

Ethan Dove’s family has moved to a new home in a safe community, and it’s exactly the fresh start they need. Not only is his marriage to Emma hanging by a thread, but his son, Dylan, and twelve-year-old daughter, Rose, deserve to have a happy childhood.

After Rose is bullied by the boys across the road, Ethan is relieved when the woman who lives next door steps in. Fiona Smith has come into their lives at just the right moment, and when she offers to look after Rose during the school holidays, Ethan and Emma can’t believe their luck.

Which is exactly what Fiona wants. Because, far from being the perfect neighbour, Fiona is the last person you should trust with your child. With a vicious plot for revenge, Fiona is happy to train Rose to be her accomplice, especially when she begins to suspect that Rose might not be as innocent as she appears…

The Psychopath Next Door is a gripping and twisted psychological suspense thriller set in the terrifying world of Mark Edwards’s bestselling The Magpies universe.

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MY REVIEW:

He’s done it again. Mark Edwards never fails to deliver, and The Psychopath Next Door is another first-class thriller that sees Edwards turn the ordinary into our worst nightmare. 

Ethan Dove and his family have got the fresh start they were looking for after moving to a new home in a safe neighbourhood. And when Ethan’s daughter, Rose, is bullied by two local boys, he’s relieved that his new next-door neighbour, Fiona, steps in to help. This is exactly the kind of community he was looking for. And when Fiona offers to look after Rose during the school holidays, Ethan and his wife, Emma, are thankful for the help. But Fiona isn’t what she seems. Because lurking beneath the smiley, helpful exterior is a cold, calculating psychopath hell-bent on revenge. And she’s decided that Rose is the perfect trainee accomplice. 

As soon as I heard that his latest book was set in the same world as his unsettling Magpies series, I knew it would be a winner. Edwards has been an auto-buy author for me for a number of years and he gets better with every book. This nerve-shredding thriller had me hooked from start to finish but it was the finale where Edwards shined, delivering one of the best twists that I have ever read. And those final lines were truly terrifying.

Lucy Newton from the Magpies Trilogy makes a welcome appearance in this book. I always find her so much fun to read and loathe, but I found someone I might loathe even more: Fiona Smith. Fiona is a strange, unnerving and fascinating character who knows she’s a psychopath and embraces it. Fiona has just been released from prison and now she’s finally free to exact revenge on the people she blames for putting her behind bars. But the real star of the show in this book is Rose. That child made the hairs on the back of my neck stand on end and was truly terrifying.  As a parent all I could think was how her parents were going to feel and what they might do. But I never could have predicted what ANY of the characters would do in this book. 

A magnificent thriller that will have you hooked from start to finish, I highly recommend this book. 

Rating: ✮✮✮✮.5

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ABOUT THE AUTHOR:

Mark Edwards writes books in which scary things happen to ordinary people, the best known of which are Follow You Home, The Magpies, Here To Stay and The Retreat. His novels have sold over 4 million copies and topped the bestseller lists numerous times. Mark prides himself on writing fast-paced page-turners with lots of twists and turns, relatable characters and dark humour

Mark live in the West Midlands, England, with his wife, their three children, two cats and a golden retriever.

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BUY THE BOOK:

Bookshop.org* | Amazon*
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********

Thanks for reading Bibliophiles xxxxx

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book reviews Emma's Anticipated Treasures Most Anticipated 2025 Squadpod Squadpod Featured Books

SQUADPOD FEATURED BOOKS: The Serial Killer’s Guide To Marriage by Asia Mackay

Published January 14th, 2025 by Wildfire
Thriller, Suspense, Romantic Suspense, Romance Novel, Contemporary Romance

Happy Publication Day to this crazy, twisted and addictive thriller. Thank you to Wildfire for sending me a copy in exchange for my honest review.

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ABOUT THE BOOK:

A couple that kills together stays together.
DISCOVER THE ADDICTIVE THRILLER READERS CAN’T STOP TALKING ABOUT

‘Sexy, stylish, thrilling. A razor-sharp tale of marriage and murder.’ CHRIS WHITAKER
‘Your sassy, twisted must-read of 2025’ JANICE HALLETT
‘If you liked Mr & Mrs Smith, you’ll love this’ CLARE MACKINTOSH
‘Darkly funny and clever’ KATY BRENT
‘Huge fun. You won’t put it down.’ HARRIET TYCE

Hazel and Fox are an ordinary married couple with a baby. Except for one small thing: they’re ex-serial killers.

They had it all. An enviable London lifestyle, five-star travels, and plenty of bad men to kill. Not many power couples know how to get away with murder.

Then Hazel fell pregnant and they gave it all up for life in the suburbs; dinner parties instead of body disposal.

But recently Hazel has started to feel that itch again. When she kills someone behind Fox’s back and brings the police to their door, she must do anything she can to protect her family.

This could save their marriage – unless it kills them first.

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MY REVIEW:

“I always knew our life together would involve bloodshed. I just never thought it would be ours.”

Hazel and Fox may seem like an ordinary married couple. But they have a secret: they are serial killers. Or at least they used to be. It’s been 1170 days since Haze’s last kill and she’s struggling to feel content in her life as a suburban wife and mum. She misses killing and is feeling that itch again. But she’s trying to be good, and even starts making mum friends to try and find a way to feel happy again. But when she kills someone behind Fox’s back, Haze must find a way to keep her secret while keeping her family safe. It’s the only way she can save her marriage. Or will it kill them first?

A heart-pounding thriller for anyone with a dark and twisted sense of humour, A Serial KIller’s Guide To Marriage is a sexy, sinister and addictive read. I adored this book. Perfect for fans of Sweetpea, Dexter or Why Women Kill, this was my first read of the year and the perfect way to start. This is a clear-your-schedule and lock-out-the-world kind of book that I devoured in almost one sitting. 

Haze and Fox are fantastic characters that I loved reading and I was completely immersed in the lives of this toxic but compelling couple. Told from both points of view, we see how each of them are dealing with normal life following their vow to stop killing for the sake of their daughter. Fox seems to be managing best, happy to do what it takes to keep little Bibi safe. And while Haze fiercely loves her daughter, she’s bored by suburban life and longs for the heady days of killing. She is also resentful it has been for Fox to give it up, not realising he has his own struggles but has just found a healthier way to deal with it. In flashbacks, we see how they became killers and then a team, as well as getting a glimpse of their serial killer days. The characters and story are so well written with the reader really feeling Haze’s internal struggle in particular. I’d find myself feeling sorry for her before then remembering she wants to kill people for fun. 

Darkly funny, bold and totally brilliant, this one is out today. Add it to your TBR now! 

Rating: ✮✮✮✮.5

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ABOUT THE AUTHOR:

Asia Mackay is a Chinese Scottish author and mother of four based in London. Asia studied Anthropology at Durham University and began her career in television. She moved to China, presented and produced lifestyle programmes in Shanghai before returning to London where she worked for the likes of Ewan McGregor and Charley Boorman, and subsequently completed a Faber Academy course. Her debut novel Killing It was the Runner Up in Richard and Judy’s Search for a Bestseller competition and Runner Up/ Exceptionally Recognised for the Comedy Women In Print prize.Both Killing It and its sequel The Nursery have been optioned for TV. Asia’s third book A Serial Killer’s Guide to Marriage will be out in January 2025 and has also been optioned for TV in a significant pre-empt.

Asia completed the Curtis Brown Creative Original TV Drama Serial course where she developed Another Life, a sci-fi thriller about a woman trialling a new virtual reality where she leads the exhilarating life as a fearless detective. A pilot she wrote for  Sky Studios has recently been optioned and Asia will also be in the Writers Room and be an Executive Producer in the screen adaptations of her books.

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

BOOK REVIEW: The Wake-Up Call by Beth O’Leary

Published September 26th, 2023 by Quercus
Romance Novel, Contemporary Romance, Holiday Fiction, Festive Ficiton

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ABOUT THE BOOK:

*THE TOP TEN SUNDAY TIMES BESTSELLER*

‘Beth O’Leary is that rare, one-in-a-million talent who can make you laugh, swoon, cry and ache all in the same book’ Emily Henry


They’ll do anything to save the hotel, except work together . . .

Welcome to Forest Manor Hotel, where the staff and guests are one happy family. Except for Izzy and Lucas – bitter rivals banned from working the same shift, for everyone’s sake.

After struggling for years, the hotel may soon have to close its doors forever. But when Izzy returns a guest’s lost wedding ring, the reward convinces management this might fix everything. With four rings still sitting in lost property, Izzy and Lucas are forced to work together to try to save the day.

But as their rivalry becomes something much more complicated, Izzy and Lucas start to wonder if there’s more at stake here than the hotel’s future . . .

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MY REIVEW:

Forest Manor Hotel and Spa, New Forest, prides itself on being one big, happy family. Well, except for Izzy and Lucas, who are such bitter rivals that they are banned from working together on reception. Business hasn’t been good since the pandemic and the hotel may soon have to close, so a collapsed roof just before Christmas is not what they need. They need to raise funds, and fast. So Izzy and Lucas are charged with sorting through lost property together to try and raise the money needed to fix the roof. And when Izzy receives a reward after returning a lost wedding ring, it looks like they’ve found the solution. There are four more rings in lost property waiting for their owners to be found. Can Izzy and Lucas work together to find them and save the hotel?

Beth O’Leary never fails to deliver. Heartwarming, witty and chaotic The Wake-Up Call is an addictive enemies-to-lovers romcom I couldn’t stop listening to.  One of the things I love about Beth’s books is that not only does she deliver sweet, first-class romance and sizzling chemistry, but she also delivers a layered storyline and compelling characters that leap from the pages. And Izzy and Lucas do just that. I loved their banter, fierce rivalry, and how deeply they loathed one another. But, as we know, loathing can often hide other feelings, and that was certainly the case with them. The sparks were flying and it was fun watching them wrestle with their feelings as they argued and battled it out to try and save the hotel. I was totally invested in their relationship and rooting for them to end up together. The background characters were entertaining and I enjoyed seeing one of the characters from one of Beth’s previous books make an appearance. 

Being set at Christmas made this the perfect festive read to enjoy at the end of last year and I loved the many ways Ms. O’Leary wove the season into the story, including the play on the traditional Christmas rhyme by using five gold rings to try and save the hotel. I was heavily invested in this storyline and rooting for Izzy and Lucas to reunite the rings with their owners and raise the money needed to save the hotel. This storyline added an extra layer of tension that kept me hooked and on the edge of my seat alongside the will they or won’t they aspect of their burgeoning romance. 

An entertaining romcom that will have you hooked at any time of the year, I highly recommend this book. 

Rating: ✮✮✮✮.5

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ABOUT THE AUTHOR:

Beth is a Sunday Times bestselling author whose novels have been translated into more than thirty languages. Her debut, The Flatshare, sold over a million copies and is now a major TV series. Her subsequent novels, The Switch, The Road Trip, The No-Show and The Wake-Up Call, were all instant bestsellers. Beth writes her books in the Hampshire countryside with a very badly behaved Golden Retriever for company. If she’s not at her desk, you’ll usually find her curled up somewhere with a book, a cup of tea and several woolly jumpers (whatever the weather).

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book reviews Emma's Anticipated Treasures Most Anticipated 2024

BOOK REVIEW: How To Solve Your Own Murder (The Castle Knoll Files, 1) by Kristen Perrin

Published March 26th, 2024 by Quercus
Mystery, Thriller, Cozy Mystery, Crime Fiction, Crime Series, Women Sleuths

Welcome to my review of this captivating cosy whodunnit. Thank you to Quercus for sending me a copy of the book in exchange for my honest review.

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ABOUT THE BOOK:

FRANCES ALWAYS SAID SHE’D BE MURDERED.
SHE WAS RIGHT.

In 1965, Frances Adams was told by a fortune teller that one day she’d be murdered. Frances spent the next sixty years trying to prevent the crime that would be her eventual demise. Of course, no one took her seriously – until she was dead.

For Frances, being the village busybody was a form of insurance. She’d spent a lifetime compiling dirt on every person she met, just in case they might turn out to be her killer. In the heart of her sprawling country estate lies an eccentric library of detective work, where the right person could step in and use her findings to solve her murder.

When her great-niece Annie arrives from London and discovers that Frances’ worst fear has come true, Annie is thrust into her great-aunt’s last act of revenge against her sceptical friends and family. Frances’ will stipulates that the person who solves her murder will inherit her millions.

Can Annie unravel the mystery and find justice for Frances, or will digging up the past lead her into the path of the killer?

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MY REVIEW:

Frances always said she’d be murdered.

She was right.

In 1965, Frances Adams is told by a fortune teller that one day she will be murdered. She spends the next sixty years trying to prevent it. No one took her seriously and she spent her life ridiculed by everyone else living in the small village of Castle Knoll. 

Now, Frances is dead. Murdered. And her great-niece, Annie, finds herself pulled into her Aunts’ final act of revenge against the people who refused to believe her; a hunt for her killer that sees the person who solves the crime inherit Frances’ millions. Can she solve the crime? Or will the killer silence her first?

Fun, heartwarming, suspenseful and original, How To Solve Your Own Murder is a superb debut that radiates Christie vibes. I’m a big fan of the amateur sleuth, so a book with two of them sounded right up my street. Skillfully written, sharply observed, cleverly plotted, full of surprising twists, and inhabited by fascinating characters, Kristen Perrin’s first installment in the Castle Knoll series was impossible to put down. The story is told in dual timelines, the flashbacks being revealed through Frances’ diaries, and moves seamlessly between past and present to intricately weave this tangled web of secrets, lies, paranoia and murder. 

Set in the fictional village of Castle Knoll, which is inspired by the real village of Corfe, Dorset, which is one of my favourite places, the village and its fascinating characters are brought to life by Perrin’s evocative imagery and descriptions. Castle Knoll has that charming but claustrophobic vibe that is unique to small towns where everyone knows everyone. France’s place as the village’s crazy lady was set when she received the chilling fortune in her teens. Her obsession with solving and preventing the crime, and her habit of seeing clues everywhere, only solidified her strangeness in the minds of the other residents. 

Cosy, clever, witty and totally addictive, How To Solve Your Own Murder is an inventive whodunnit you don’t want to miss. I can’t wait to return to these characters in book two. 

Rating: ✮✮✮✮.5

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ABOUT THE AUTHOR:

Kristen Perrin is originally from Seattle, Washington, where she spent several years working as a bookseller before immigrating to the UK to do a Masters and PhD.

She loves working on projects that have a mystery at their heart, and splits her time writing cosy crime for adults and working on middle grade books that mix magic and adventure. Her children’s series, Attie and the Worldbreakers, is currently available in Dutch, German, and Polish.

She lives with her family in Surrey, where she can be found stomping in the mud with her two kids, collecting too many plants, and painting and sketching in her spare time.

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book reviews Emma's Anticipated Treasures

BOOK REVIEW: Miss Beeton’s Murder Agency by Josie Lloyd

Published October 24th, 2024 by HQ
Cosy Mystery, Crime Fiction, Mystery, Humorous Fiction, Festive Fiction

Welcome to my review for this cosy Christmas crime novel. Thank you to Rachel Quin and HQ for sending me a copy in exchange for my honest review.

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ABOUT THE BOOK:

It takes an organised mind to solve a well-planned crime …

The perfect new cosy crime novel for fans of Agatha Christie, Nita Prose and Richard Osman!

A Platinum book of the month!

‘Mrs Beeton herself would be proud. A perfect recipe and devoured in one sitting between elevenses and afternoon tea.’ Ian Moore

‘A glorious new addition to the cosy crime genre with recipes which will leave you wanting more.’ Melanie Cantor

❄️❄️❄️

Alice Beeton never meant to wind up single and childless on the wrong side of fifty. Like her distant relative Mrs Beeton – yes, that Mrs Beeton – she had hoped to have her own spic-and-span household by now. In reality, she lives in an immaculate but dingy basement flat in a rather shabby block in Kensington with Agatha, her fiercely intelligent, if rather over-territorial, corgi-Jack Russell cross.

Now Alice runs the Good Household Management Agency, providing discreet domestic staff to extravagant townhouses and sprawling country piles. So when Camille Messent calls in urgent need of a new housekeeper, Miss Beeton sends out new hire Enya. She’s rather forward but she does come with impeccable references and is fluent en français.

But in the early hours of New Year’s Day, Alice is rudely awakened with the news that Enya has been found dead. As the intriguing, if somewhat scruffy, Detective Rigby struggles to drum up an adequate investigation and the wealthy family and their party guests close rank, Miss Beeton takes it upon herself to solve the crime…

❄️❄️❄️

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MY REVIEW:

With an eye-catching cover, modern-day Agatha Christie vibes and a bingeable story, everything about Miss Beeton’s Murder Agency screams ‘cosy Christmas read’. And, I’m happy to say, it doesn’t disappoint. 

Alice Beeton runs the Good Household Management Agency, providing domestic staff for London townhouses and sprawling country mansions. One morning, she receives an urgent request for a new housekeeper and it seems the stars have aligned, because at that moment she is interviewing Enya, a possible new hire. But just a few days into her new post Enya is murdered. So, determined to solve the crime and get justice for her employee, Alice goes undercover to infiltrate her own clients. 

Heartwarming, funny, festive and entertaining, reading this book was like snuggling up in a fuzzy blanket by a warm fire. Evocative imagery conjured cosy, wintery vibes while Josie Lloyd’s masterful storytelling and clever plotting made me lose myself in the story. But one of the highlights for me were the recipes for treats such as lemon biscuits from Alice’s fictional Victorian ancestor, Mrs. Beeton that are sprinkled throughout. 

A cast of quirky and colourful characters populate the pages and the eponymous Miss Beeton is my new queen on the amateur sleuth block. Curious, brave and tenacious, Alice is likeable from the first page. She likes things well-ordered and tidy, something that she discovers is not only perfect for running her agency, but for solving crimes too. There’s a great camaraderie that radiates from her whole team and I loved the friendship and witty banter she had with her best friend, Jinx. Then there’s my new favourite crime-solving side-kick of all time, Alice’s cute and intuitive dog, Agatha (named after who else but Miss Christie). Add in a swoon-worthy detective and you’ve got yourself a recipe for the perfect cast of characters for a fun festive crime story. 

A marvellous cosy crime with a retro vibe, this is a lighthearted, warm and witty story that is guaranteed to get you in the festive spirit. I’m hoping this isn’t the only time we will see Miss. Beeton’s crime-solving skills and that Alice and her team will return for more adventures. 

Rating: ✮✮✮✮.5

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ABOUT THE AUTHOR:

Josie Lloyd had been writing novels for twenty years, when in 2017, she was diagnosed with breast cancer after a routine scan. An avid reader, her first instinct was to try and find a novel about what she was going through. She wanted to read something positive, hopeful and uplifting, but she couldn’t find what she was looking for.

It was whilst she was going through treatment that she joined a group of runners, all of whom were also affected by cancer and together they entered and finished the Brighton Marathon 10K. It was amazing experience that inspired her the novel she felt she’d needed when she started her cancer journey. Published as ‘The Cancer Ladies’ Running Club’, in the UK and ‘The Brightside Running Club’ in the United States, the novel has been described as:

‘Amazing, heartbreaking, inspiring,’ Jenny Colgan.

‘A love letter to the power of friendship, honest and uplifting’ Jill Mansell

‘A searingly honest, but fiercely positive story about the importance of friendship and the power of hope told with Josie’s characteristic warmth and humour.’ Mike Gayle

‘What an engaging and life-affirming story! A page-turner, too, with such wonderful characters. I loved it!’ Rachel Hore

‘I thoroughly enjoyed this honest, no-holds-barred story. It is by turns funny, inspiring and incredibly moving.’ Kathryn Hughes

‘Brave, bold Josie Lloyd has written an incredibly important book. I was charmed by her light touch yet fearlessness in dealing with the deeply emotional subject matter. Every woman should read it.’ Veronica Henry

Thanks to the amazing cancer treatment available, Josie is restored to fine health and has become the first patron of the charity Lobular Breast Cancer UK as well as an ambassador for The Sussex Cancer Fund. She hopes to inspire women and to show that it’s possible to not just survive, but to thrive on the other side of cancer.

Mother of three teens and a beloved dog, Ziggy, Josie lives in Brighton in the UK with her husband, Emlyn Rees, with whom she sometimes co-writes. Together they have written seven internationally best-selling novels, including Come Together, which was number one for ten weeks, published in twenty-seven languages and made into a Working Title film. They’ve also written several parodies of their favourite children’s books, including ‘We’re Going On A Bar Hunt’, ‘The Very Hungover Caterpillar’ and ‘The Teenager Who Came To Tea’.

Josie also writes as Joanna Rees, as she likes writing contemporary fiction as well as big, sweeping historical dramas. Her latest ‘Stitch In Time’ trilogy is set in the 1920’s in London, Paris and New York.

When she’s not writing, Josie is a keen sea swimmer and swims all year round no matter what the weather. She also likes walking and is undertaking a challenge to climb mountains named after breasts in Scotland in May 2022.

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********

Thanks for reading, Bibliophiles xxxx