Tag: 4 Stars

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Blog Tours book reviews Emma's Anticipated Treasures

BLOG TOUR REVIEW: Madame Matisse by Sophie Haydock

Published March 6th, 2025 by Doubleday UK
Historical Fiction, Domestic Fiction, Biographical Fiction

Today is my stop on the blog tour for this enthralling story. Thank you to Anne at Random Things Tours for the invitation to take part, and to Doubleday for sending me a copy of the book in exchange for my honest review.

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ABOUT THE BOOK:

This is the story of three women – one an orphan and refugee who finds a place in the studio of a famous French artist, the other a wife and mother who has stood by her husband for nearly forty years. The third is his daughter, caught in the crossfire between her mother and a father she adores.

Amelie is first drawn to Henri Matisse as a way of escaping the conventional life expected of her. A free spirit, she sees in this budding young artist a glorious future for them both. Ambitious and driven, she gives everything for her husband’s art, ploughing her own desires, her time, her money into sustaining them both, even through years of struggle and disappointment.

Lydia Delectorskaya is a young Russian emigree, who fled her homeland following the death of her mother. After a fractured childhood, she is trying to make a place for herself on France’s golden Riviera, amid the artists, film stars and dazzling elite. Eventually she finds employment with the Matisse family. From this point on, their lives are set on a collision course….

Marguerite is Matisse’s eldest daughter. When the life of her family implodes, she must find her own way to make her mark and to navigate divided loyalties.

Based on a true story, Madame Matisse is a stunning novel about drama and betrayal; emotion and sex; glamour and tragedy, all set in the hotbed of the 1930s art movement in France. In art, as in life, this a time when the rules were made to be broken…

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MY REVIEW:

Atmospheric, evocative and enthralling, Madame Matisse peels back the curtain to tell the story of the three women in the life of celebrated artist Henri Matisse: his wife, Amelie, her assistant, Lydia, and his daughter, Marguerite. Told from multiple points of view over multiple decades, truth proves stranger than fiction in this compelling story of art, glamour, love, passion and betrayal. 

The story opens in Nice, 1939. Henri’s wife, Madame Amelie Matisse, has been at his side for forty years. Now suffering from chronic pain and mostly housebound, she has employed Russian emigre Lydia Delectorskaya to assist her in her daily tasks. They had initially got along well, but recently Amelie has begun to fear that Lydia has stolen the affections of her husband and invaded her household. Desperate to regain control, Amelie issues Henri with an ultimatum: her or Lydia. Meanwhile, Henri’s daughter Marguerite is caught in the crossfires of their conflict, unsure how to help either of her parents.

First of all, can we take a moment to admire the beautiful cover, which is matched by Sophie Haydock’s beautiful storytelling. This is merged with her meticulous research and evocative imagery, bringing these historical characters to life once more. Each of the women take turns to narrate their story: first Amelie, Henri’s formidable and loyal wife, then his deviated assistant, Lydia, and finally Marguerite, the loving daughter. They are three very different women whose lives are shaped by one man. Exploring themes of identity and sexism, Haydock examines how each of the women sacrifice so much of themselves for Henri, struggling to find their place in the world other than as his wife, companion or daughter. All three women are very intelligent, but they have little opportunity to explore their own potential as they are pushed to the sidelines for Henri, making themselves smaller in order to elevate him and end up becoming part of his story instead of creating their own. Haydock finally gives them the chance to be the star of their own story and I loved learning about these fascinating women. 

Rating: ✮✮✮✮✰

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ABOUT THE AUTHOR:

Sophie Haydock is an author, editor and journalist (Sunday Times, Financial Times, Guardian), based in Folkestone, Kent, where she is curator of Folkestone Book Festival. Her debut, The Flames â€“ about the women who posed for the scandalous artist Egon Schiele in Vienna a century ago – was named by the Times as one of the Best Historical Fiction Books of 2022. It was longlisted for the HWA Debut Crown Award, and the Italian translation, Le Fiamme, won the Premio Letterario Edoardo Kihlgren for debut novels. She worked for the Sunday Times Short Story Award and is associate director of the Word Factory. 

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BUY THE BOOK:

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*These links are affiliatel links

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Thanks for reading, Bibliophiles xxxxx

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

BLOG TOUR: Same Time Next Week by Milly Johnson

Published February 27th, 2025 by Simon & Schuster UK
Romance Novel, Contemporary Romance, Romantic Comedy

Today is my stop on the blog tour for the delightful romcom, Same Time Next Week. Thank you to SJV and Books and the City for the invitation to take part, and to Simon and Schuster for sending me a copy of the book in exchange for the honest review.

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ABOUT THE BOOK:

‘Milly is the most wonderful, life-affirming writer about women’s lives, love and friendship; her books are a joy.’ JENNY COLGAN

‘Real women, real life, real feeling, Milly brings it all.’ CATHY BRAMLEY

Welcome to Spring Hill, home to a square of independent shops and cafes, a thriving local community and nearby the newest venture, Ray’s Diner. Here a group of women meet once a week over a cup of something warming.
 
Amanda is primary carer to her elderly mother and one of the only women in a male-dominated company. Used to being second-best all her life, is this her time to finally break ranks and shine?
 
Sky works at the repair shop, patching up old teddy bears, and their owners’ hearts. But her heart beats for the one man who is strictly off-limits.
 
Mel has been a loyal and loving wife to Steve for thirty years. Then when he goes to his old school reunion, life as she knows it will never be the same again.
 
Erin is trying to get over a traumatic loss where her guilt weighs more than her grief. Can she find the first step to healing lies in sharing an hour with strangers once a week? 
 
Astrid is feeling in need of a change and a challenge. But when a fantastic opportunity presents itself, who is around to convince her she is worthy enough to take the risk?
 
Can these women find the answers to their worries, acceptance, courage, support here? Join them at the same time next week to find out…

‘Milly writes with a huge heart about the challenges women face, particularly in later life. Her wisdom shines through, as does her humour: no-one can bring you from tears to smiles more quickly. Her books are warm, funny and real, and her stories celebrate triumph over adversity, the power of love, and the importance of friendship. Her heroines are down to earth yet reach for the sky and are truly inspirational, like Milly herself. She makes the world a better place.’ VERONICA HENRY

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MY REVIEW:

Spring Hill is a thriving community in Yorkshire that is home to a square of independent shops and cafes. The newest one on the block is Ray’s Diner, where a group of women meet each week hoping to make connections and find friends. Each has their own challenges and reasons for being there, but over a warm cuppa their differences will disappear as they find their similarities, forge new friendships, and find the support they need. 

Heartwarming, funny, uplifting and life-affirming, Same Time Next Week is another winner about real people with real problems and real feelings. Milly Johnson never fails to deliver. She has a knack for writing heartfelt slice-of-life stories that feel relatable and real.. Her books are a go-to comfort read for me, so I was thrilled to be offered the chance to take part in this blog tour. I loved the sense of friendship and community that is on these pages; it is so much harder to make new friends as an adult, and I loved that Ms. Johnson has addressed that topic in this book, creating a story about a group of women brought together by loneliness and a desire to connect. 

The book is filled with an eclectic cast of characters who are richly drawn, relatable and real. Each of them are going through their own unique challenges that lead to them seeking out the friendship group: Amanda is primary carer to a disparaging mother, Mel is lost after the collapse of her thirty year marriage, Erin is trying to get over a traumatic loss and is plagued by guilt, Erin patches up old teddy bears but can’t patch up her own heart, and Astrid is needing a new direction in life but feels scared to grab the opportunity when it arises. A friendship club is a fantastic idea for finding new friends as an adult and I enjoyed seeing these ladies all bravely taking that first step over the threshold and then finding the love and support they needed.

A witty, warm and wonderful read, I highly recommend this book.

Rating: ✮✮✮✮✰

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ABOUT THE AUTHOR:

Milly Johnson was born, raised and still lives in Barnsley, South Yorkshire. She is the author of 22 novels, 4 short story ebooks, a book of poetry and a Quick Reads Novella (‘The Little Dreams of Lara Cliffe’) and was an erstwhile leading copywriter for the greetings card industry. She is also a poet, a professional joke-writer, a newspaper columnist and a seasoned after dinner speaker.

She won the RoNA for Best Romantic Comedy Novel of 2014 and 2016, the Yorkshire Society award for Arts and Culture 2015, the Romantic Novelist Association Outstanding Achievement award in 2020, the Goldsboro Books Contemporary Romantic Novel Award in 2021 and the Richard Whiteley Award for Inspiration to the County of Yorkshire in 2022.

She writes about love, life, friendships and the importance of community spirit. Her books champion women, their strength and resilience and celebrate her beloved Yorkshire.

Her 22nd novel ‘Same Time Next Week’ out 27th Feb 2025 is about five women all negotiating big changes in their lives. Will coming together in a friendship group at the new Ray’s Diner help them overcome what fate throws at them? Full of blueberry pie and cookies (don’t blame me if you start craving them)

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BUY THE BOOK:

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

SQUADPOD FEATURED BOOKS: Life Hacks for a Little Alien by Alice Franklin

Published February 13th, 2025 by Riverrun
Literary Fiction, Coming-of-Age Story

Welcome to my review for this special, moving and heartfelt debut. Thank you to Riverrun for sending me a copy of the book in exchange for my honest review.

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ABOUT THE BOOK:

‘Wise and playful and tender and beautiful’ Bobby Palmer
‘So brilliant, so original and lovely and funny, that it reminds you of the point of reading’ Rebecca Wait

Perfect for fans of Eleanor Oliphant is Completely Fine and Remarkably Bright Creatures, this is a charming, witty and moving novel about what it feels like to grow up neurodivergent.

‘Climb up here, Little Alien. Sit next to me. I will tell you about life on this planet. I will tell you how it goes’

From her first words to her first day at school, Little Alien can’t help but get things wrong. She doesn’t understand the world the way others seem to, and the world doesn’t seem to understand her either. Her anxious mum and meticulous dad, while well-intentioned, are of little help.

But when Little Alien sees a documentary about the Voynich Manuscript – a mediaeval codex written in an unknown language and script – she begins to suspect that there are other people who feel just like her. Convinced that translating this manuscript will offer the answers she needs, she sets out on a journey that will show her a delicious taste of freedom.

So begins this charming, witty, and profoundly moving novel about the power of language, the wonder of libraries – and how to find a path that fits, when you yourself do not.

‘Unique and thoroughly engaging. It is insightful and funny and gently poignant. By telling the story of one little alien, Alice Franklin has told the story of many’ Pip Williams, author of The Dictionary of Lost Words

‘Totally addictive and brilliant . . . Life Hacks for A Little Alien is sure to find its place as one of the best loved works of fiction’ Aimée Walsh, author of Exile

‘Immersive, moving, and fizzing with humour, I couldn’t put this book down and I still can’t let the character go’ Paula Lichtarowicz, author of The Snow Hare

‘A rare energy lights this wonderful book: a unique recipe of humour, heart, frankness, and an unstoppable fascination with language’ Han Smith, author of Portraits at the Palace of Creativity and Wrecking

‘Witty, bold, heart-warming and entirely delicious. I devoured it’ Jyoti Patel, author of The Things that we Lost

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MY REVIEW:

“Climb up here, Little Alien. Sit next to me. I will tell you about life on this planet. I will tell you how it goes.”

Beautiful, tender, quirky and deeply human, Life Hacks For A Little Alien is a thought-provoking debut. It explores the world through the eyes of an unnamed protagonist referred to as Little Alien because she feels so different from everyone around her. Little Alien struggles to navigate life and doesn’t understand the world or the people around her. Nor do they understand her. She is seen as strange and distant; unable to look people in the eye and rarely speaking. School is a nightmare for Little Alien. She is overwhelmed, gullible and seems unable to stay out of trouble. They also label her as stupid because of her unusual ways and reluctance to talk, not realising she has a rich inner life and is actually quite clever. She makes one friend, but loses touch with him after she’s forced to move schools again. Then, after seeing a documentary about the Voynich Manuscript – a Medieval codex written in an unknown language and script – Little Alien begins to wonder if she isn’t the only one who feels different after all. She becomes obsessed with the manuscript and is convinced that translating it holds the key to all the answers she’s been searching for. 

Alice Franklin proves herself to be a talent to watch with this glorious debut. From its opening pages it is obvious that this is a book like nothing you’ve ever read before. And it is a story I will never forget. Masterfully written and full of heart and humour, Franklin has created something really special. Little Alien is a unique protagonist that it is impossible not to love. Endearing and sympathetic, her differences only made me feel more protective of her. I loved seeing the world through Little Alien’s eyes, although seeing how she was judged and dismissed broke my heart and made me wish for a kinder world. Franklin expertly shows us how things that make sense to us might be confusing for someone else and  I was glad Little Alien had the narrator to guide her through this confusing world as no-one else was doing it. This little girl fell through every crack possible in life and it was heartbreaking. Her teachers were ignorant and her parents deeply flawed, both so consumed by their own issues and challenges that they failed to help their daughter. But they weren’t bad people and I was rooting for them to get better and for the family to heal as a unit.

As the mother of two neurodivergent children, I wish I’d had this book to read years ago. Wonderful, moving and insightful, it is hard to put into words just how special, and unique this story is. Please read it and find out for yourself.

Rating: ✮✮✮✮✰

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ABOUT THE AUTHOR:

Alice Franklin lives and works in London. She has an MA in Creative Writing from the University of East Anglia. Life Hacks for a Little Alien is her debut novel.

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BUY THE BOOK:

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

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Thanks for reading, Bibliophiles xxxx

Categories
Blog Tours book reviews Emma's Anticipated Treasures

BLOG TOUR: The Re-Write by Lizzie Damilola Blackburn

Published February 13th, 2025 by Viking
Romance Novel, Contemporary Romance

Welcome to my stop on the blog tour for this delightful romcom. Thank you to Viking for inviting me to take part and for sending me a copy of the book in exchange for my honest review.

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ABOUT THE AUTHOR:

ONE STORY. TWO EXES. CAN THEY CHANGE THEIR ENDING?

‘Such a fun, romantic read’ Beth O’Leary
‘This book melted my stone cold heart’ Jendella Benson

Temi and Wale meet in London. They flirt, date, meet each other’s friends.
Then they break up. And Wale goes on a reality dating show.

Instead of giving in to heartbreak, Temi throws herself into her dream: writing. She’s within touching distance of a book deal that would solve all her problems. But publishers keep passing on her novel and bills still have to be paid. So, when the opportunity to ghost-write a celebrity autobiography arises, Temi accepts.

And, of course, the celebrity turns out to be Wale…

Will Temi and Wale repeat the patterns of their past? Or can they write a whole new story?

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MY REVIEW:

Witty, fun, entertaining and romantic, The Re-Write is a delightful romcom that follows aspiring author, Temi, and her ex-boyfriend, Wale. When Wale ended their relationship he broke Temi’s heart and she can’t seem to get over him. This isn’t helped by his appearance on the reality dating show, The Villa, and everyone on social media talking about him. To try and help her heartache, Temi throws herself into her writing and is even hired as a ghostwriter for a celebrity memoir. The only problem is that the celebrity it’s about is her ex…

I loved Lizzie Damilola-Blackburn’s debut, Yinka, Where Iz Your Huzband?, so I was very excited to read this book. I’m a big fan of a good second chance romance, and this one is done brilliantly. The concept of two exes trying to work together while one is still trying to get over the other is ripe for chaos, conflict and high emotion, and Damilola-Blackburn explores them all, taking us along for the bumpy ride along with Temi and Wale. 

While this is a lighthearted read, it doesn’t shy away from deeper subjects, touching on issues including racism, toxic masculinity, sexual assault, alcoholism, online trolling, and being a carer. Another topic at the heart of this story is racial stereotyping, which is the basis for Wale’s whole memoir. He wants to break the stereotypes of the playboy Black man. And when we first meet him it does seem that his actions speak so loudly that he couldn’t possibly be anything but a playboy. But Damilola-Blackburn reminds us that there can be so much more to someone than meets the eye. I had been totally Team Temi at the start, but as we learned more about who Wale really is I found myself liking him and rooting for them to find a happy ending together, even if I did want to shake them both many times along the way. 

A heartfelt and compelling second-chance romance that had me hooked from start to finish, I highly recommend The Re-Write. 

Rating: ✮✮✮✮✰

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ABOUT THE AUTHOR:

Lizzie Damilola Blackburn is a British-Nigerian writer, born in Peckham, who wants to tell the stories that she and her friends have longed for but never seen – romcoms ‘where Cinderella is Black and no-one bats an eyelid’. In 2019 she won the Literary Consultancy Pen Factor Writing Competition with the early draft of Yinka, Where is your Huzband?, which she had been writing alongside juggling her job at Carers UK. She has been at the receiving end of the question in the title of her novel many times, and now lives with her husband in Milton Keynes.

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BUY THE BOOK

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

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Thanks for reading, Bibliophiles xxx

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

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book reviews

BOOK REVIEW: Five Little Pigs by Agatha Christie

Published May 1942
Mystery, Crime Fiction, Detective Fiction, Classic Fiction

Welcome to my review for the first book of Read Christie 2025.

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ABOUT THE BOOK:

Agatha Christie’s ingenious murder mystery, reissued with a striking new cover designed to appeal to the latest generation of Agatha Christie fans and book lovers.

Beautiful Caroline Crale was convicted of poisoning her husband, yet there were five other suspects: Philip Blake (the stockbroker) who went to market; Meredith Blake (the amateur herbalist) who stayed at home; Elsa Greer (the three-time divorcee) who had roast beef; Cecilia Williams (the devoted governess) who had none; and Angela Warren (the disfigured sister) who cried ‘wee wee wee’ all the way home.

It is sixteen years later, but Hercule Poirot just can’t get that nursery rhyme out of his mind…

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MY REVIEW:

One of my reading goals for this year is to actually finish the Read Christie 2025 Challenge. I started the 2024 challenge but only managed to take part for about half the year. I’m intrigued by this year’s theme of ‘Characters and Careers. January’s prompt was ‘Artists’ and I decided to read the official choice: Five Little Pigs. 

Sixteen years ago, Caroline Crale was convicted of poisoning her husband. Her daughter, Carla, is convinced her mother was innocent however and is asking Poirot to re-open the case. Intrigued, Poirot finds that there were five other suspects who could have killed Amyas Crale: Philip Blake (the stockbroker), Meredith Blake (the amateur herbalist), Elsa Greer (the three-times divorcee), Cecilia Williams (the devoted governess), and Angela Warren (the disfigured sister). Was Caroline guilty? Or did someone else kill Amyas?

Gripping, intriguing and suspenseful, I really enjoyed this story. I liked that it involved an older crime that involved multiple possible suspects and the chance to right a possible wrongful conviction. Like Poirot, I had my doubts that Caroline was as innocent as she claimed, but as he investigated it became clear that the other suspects also had possible motives for murder. I thought the way that Christie wove the old nursery rhyme of the same name as the title into the story was cleverly done, and I found myself repeating the rhyme at random times for a week or so after reading. 

A page-turning mystery that any classic crime lover will enjoy, I highly recommend this book. 

Rating: ✮✮✮✮✰

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ABOUT THE AUTHOR:

Born in Torquay in 1890, Agatha Christie began writing during the First World War and wrote over 100 novels, plays and short story collections. She was still writing to great acclaim until her death, and her books have now sold over a billion copies in English and another billion in over 100 foreign languages. Yet Agatha Christie was always a very private person, and though Hercule Poirot and Miss Marple became household names, the Queen of Crime was a complete enigma to all but her closest friends.

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BUY THE BOOK:

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

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Thanks for reading, Bibliophiles xxxx

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book reviews Emma's Anticipated Treasures Most Anticipated 2025 Squadpod Squadpod Book Club Squadpod Reviews

SQUADPOD BOOK CLUB: The Night We Lost Him by Laura Dave

Published January 2nd, 2025 by Century
Mystery, Thriller, Suspense, Domestic Fiction

Welcome to my review of the first SquadPod Book Club pick of 2025. Thank you to Century for sending me a copy of the book in exchange for my honest review.

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ABOUT THE BOOK:

From the author of the #1 New York Times bestseller and Reese’s Book Club Pick The Last Thing He Told Me comes a riveting mystery wrapped in an epic love story . . .

‘An engrossing mystery and a story with emotional heft’ Shari Lapena

‘A master storyteller. You won’t want to miss this one’ Harlan Coben

‘The best mystery of the year‘ Jennifer Garner

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One beautiful Californian evening, a wealthy businessman falls to his death from his secluded cliff-top house onto the rocks below.

A tragic accident? Or murder?

Nora and her half-brother Sam suspect it may be the latter, and team up to uncover the truth of what really happened that night.

But their relationship has never been easy, and it is about to be tested to the limit as they start to question how well either of them really knew their elusive father.

Unravelling his mysterious past takes them back to a world they knew nothing about, to a tangled love affair and a web of relationships that other people would far rather stay buried…

Filled with passion, intrigue, lies, and dark, dark family secrets, The Night We Lost Him is a page turning mystery you won’t ever want to put down.

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MY REVIEW:

On a beautiful California evening a wealthy businessman falls to his death from the secluded cliff-top garden of his home. But was it an accident or murder?

Tense, twisty and immersive, our first SquadPod Book Club pick of 2025 was a page-turner. I was intrigued from the riveting prologue and lost myself in this story of love, lust, secrets and lies. Well-written and compelling, I enjoyed Laura Dave’s unique blend of thriller, family drama and love story. From its riveting prologue she had me intrigued, and lost myself in this story of love, lust, secrets and lies, inhaling it and in just a few hours. 

The story is told in dual timelines, narrated by Nora in the present, as she and her half-brother, Sam, investigate what really happened the night their father died. The reluctance of those closest to him to talk to them only reinforces their suspicion that it wasn’t a tragic accident. But their rocky relationship is another obstacle they must overcome. Liam kept his different families separate so they have never been close and we see how this, as well as their different approaches to working, tests their relationship. But over time we see it bring them together as they get to know one another for the first time. 

While in the present we know Liam only through the eyes of others, he recites the past narrative, revealing to the reader the most important relationship in his life: a five-decades long clandestine relationship with a mystery love known only by an old nickname. It seemed obvious that his lover’s identity would lead us to the truth about his death. But who was she? I had a few different suspicions over the course of the book and did guess right, but not until only a couple of chapters before the big reveal. 

Dave expertly weaves the storylines together, filling them with red herrings and shocking twists that keep the reader on their toes. But something I particularly enjoyed was Dave’s honest but sensitive exploration of grief and the different ways it can affect us, which is explored mostly through Nora. There were a few times I found myself close to tears from the sheer depth of emotion on the pages. Highly recommended. 

Rated: ✮✮✮✮✰

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ABOUT THE AUTHOR:

Laura Dave is the #1 New York Times bestselling author of The Last Thing He Told Me, Eight Hundred Grapes and other novels.

Her books have been published in thirty-eight languages and have been chosen by Reese Witherspoon’s Book Club, Indie Next, Book of the Month Club, The Richard and Judy Book Club, Best of Amazon, and Best of Apple Books. The Last Thing He Told Me was chosen as the Goodreads Mystery & Thriller of the Year for 2021. The Last Thing He Told Me is now a series on Apple TV+, co-created by Laura.

She resides in Santa Monica, California.

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BUY THE BOOK:

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

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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 BOOK: The Quick and the Dead by Emma Hinds

Published January 16th, 2025 by Bedford Square Publishers
Historical Fiction, LGBT Literature, Occult Ficiton

Welcome to my review for this darkly atmsohperic and immserive novel. Thank you to Bedford Square Publishers and Ed PR for sending me a copy of the book in exchange for my honest review.

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ABOUT THE BOOK:

‘Wonderfully evocative, this book transports the reader to the dark underworld of late Elizabethan London. I was gripped from the first page.’ Tracy Borman

It is 1597 and Kit Skevy and Mariner Elgin have just robbed the wrong grave.

They are young criminals in the pocket of a gang Lord named Will Twentyman, the Grave Eorl of Southwark. Mariner is the best cutpurse around, a strange Calvinist girl who dresses like a boy and is partner in crime to Kit Skevy, Southwark’s best brawler who carries a secret: he cannot feel pain.

When caught out in their unfortunate larceny, Kit is kidnapped by the menacing alchemist Lord Isherwood (a man who will stop at nothing to achieve his hopes for the Red Lion elixir) and his studious son, Lazarus Isherwood, with whom Kit develops a complicated intrigue. When Mariner enlists the help of a competing French alchemist, Lady Elody Blackwater, Mariner and Kit are thrust into the shadowed, political world of Tudor alchemy, testing both their friendship and their lives.

It matters not who you are born to… but where you are made!

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MY REVIEW:

1597. Criminals Kit Skevy and Mariner Elgin are owned by Will Twentyman, also known as the Grave Eorl of Southwark, who rules his streets with a terrifying fist. But Twentyman’s reputation fails to save them when Kit is kidnapped as they rob a grave for the gang Lord. Kit has been taken by Lord Isherwood, a menacing alchemist who wants to find the secret to Greek Fire. Mariner is desperate to save her friend, but Twentyman has no interest in rescuing his prized fighter, so she turns to competing alchemist, Lady Elody Blackwater, for help, sparking a chain of events that sees Kit and Mariner thrust into something much more dangerous than they ever imagined. 

Emma Hinds debut novel, The Knowing, was a standout read of 2024 and one I’ve recommended many times, so I was very excited when the SquadPod were offered the chance to read her sophomore novel, The Quick and the Dead. Darkly atmospheric, immersive and mesmerising, Hinds not only lived up to the expectations set by her debut, she surpassed them, crafting a sensational historical novel brimming with secrets, conflict and intrigue. I devoured this book in under a day, unable to put the book down once I’d started. Masterfully written, cleverly plotted and intricately interwoven, Hinds held me in her thrall as she explored the dark underbelly of Elizabethan London. Hinds’ extensive research is evident in every facet of the story from the threat from Spain that lingers over every page to the alchemy practiced throughout, and finally in the layered narrative of political intrigue. Hinds also takes us on an engaging exploration of gender and sexuality that I didn’t expect but found to be one of the most powerful aspects of the story. 

The story is narrated by Kit and Mariner, the thieves at the heart of the novel. Mariner Elgin is a strange girl who dresses male, and despite being Twentyman’s best cutpurse, lives in fear of being sent to the brothel. She is also Portuguese, so the hatred of Spain that is prevalent affects her more than most. Kit, a prized fighter, is a young man who is often mistaken for someone much younger. He also doesn’t feel pain, a helpful yet dangerous secret, that isn’t’ the most dangerous thing he hides. Both were easy to root for and I was completely invested in their stories. With the other characters, we never quite knew who among them we could trust. There were some despicable and debased characters where it was obvious they were the villains, but there were others whose motives weren’t so clear and I enjoyed the extra tension this brought to the story. 

This is a must-read addition to the TBR of any historical fiction fan.

Rating: ✮✮✮✮✰

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ABOUT THE AUTHOR:

Emma is a Queer playwright and author living and working in Manchester. She has a Masters in Creative Writing from the University of St Andrews. She focuses on historical narratives, female voices, and Queer stories. Emma’s debut novel, The Knowing, is an exploration of female trauma in the vivid and cruel world of the Victorian freak show and is available through Bedford Square Publishing. Emma has been longlisted for the Mslexia Novel Competition twice and was a participant of the Penguin Random House Write Now Scheme in 2018.

Her latest play, PURE, was featured in Turn On festival at Hope Mill Theatre Manchester and she was the recipient of the Artist Development grant at Hope Mill Theatre.

She has written a few previous non-fiction books in her capacity as an academic (in another life she was a theologian) with an essay published, Tarantino and Theology; with Gray Matter Books and her book, Ineffable Love: Christian Themes in Good Omens; published by Darton Longman Todd. Emma uses she/her pronouns.

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Blog Tours Book Features Emma's Anticipated Treasures Most Anticipated 2025

BLOG TOUR REVIEW: Into Thin Air by Ørjan Karlsson

Published January 16th, 2025 by Orenda
Nordic Noir, Crime Fiction, Thriller, Hard-boiled, Mystery, Police Procedural, Crime Series

Today is my stop on the blog tour for the first in what promises to be a brilliant new series. Thank you to Anne at Random Things Tours for the invitation to take part in this tour, and to Orenda for sending me a copy of the book in exchange for my honest review.

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ABOUT THE BOOK:

Chief Investigator of Nordland Police, Jakob Weber is drawn into a complex case when a teenaged girl goes missing in Northern Norway, and a second woman disappears from a remote island in similar circumstances … FIRST in a compelling, dark new Nordic Noir series.
 
‘This is first-class Nordic Noir from the real North, where danger lurks around every corner’ Gunnar Staalesen
 
‘Jakob Weber is a great protagonist, and the sense of place is phenomenal. The perfect start to a series destined for greatness’ Thomas Enger
 
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In Norway’s frozen north, it’s not just secrets that are buried…
 
When nineteen-year-old Iselin Hanssen disappears during a run in a popular hiking area in Bodø, Northern Norway, suspicion quickly falls on her boyfriend. For investigator Jakob Weber, the case seems clear-cut, almost unexceptional, even though there is some suggestion that Iselin lived parts of her life beneath the radar of both family and friends.
 
But events take a dramatic turn when another woman disappears in similar circumstances – this time on the island of Røst, miles off the Norwegian coast, in the wild ocean.
 
Rumours that a killer is on the loose begin to spread, terrifying the local population and leading to wild conspiracies. But then Jakob discovers that this isn’t the first time that young women have vanished without a trace in the region, and it becomes clear that someone is hiding something … and another murderous spree may have just begun…
 
For fans of Joe Pickett, Ragnar Jonasson and Jorn Lier Horst

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MY REVIEW:

There’s a new sinister storyteller on the block. Ørjan Karlsson is one to watch for anyone who enjoys their thrillers as dark as the starless sky. 

I always think there’s something so exciting about starting the first book in a new series as you aren’t only anticipating the book in your hands but all future books in this series, where the characters are like old friends you return to time and again. When the book is a Nordic Noir published by Orenda then your anticipation is even higher. But, as I expected, Into Thin Air did not disappoint. 

Chief Investigator of Norland Police, Jakob Weber, is drawn into what appears to be a clear-cut case when teenager Iselin Hanssen disappears during a run. Suspicion quickly falls on her boyfriend and it looks like this case will be tied up quickly. But things take a dramatic turn after another woman disappears in similar circumstances and rumours begin to spread about a serial killer being on the loose. Then, as Jakob investigates the increasingly complex case, he discovers that this isn’t the first time young women have vanished in the area. Could his cases be connected to these cold cases? And is he hunting for a serial killer who has been hiding in their midst for decades?

Chilling, addictive and suspenseful, this wild and crazy rollercoaster ride was a brilliant start to a new series. Exploring dark deeds, depravity and the murkiest depths of humanity, it had me hooked from its sinister prologue to its unforgettable finale. Skillfully written and cleverly choreographed, Karlsson kept me on my toes with an array of red herrings, twists and turns, and there are so many threads in this story that you could weave a jumper. A strong sense of place transported me to the icy and rugged Norwegian landscape, and provided a treacherous backdrop where danger lurks waiting to pounce. 

The story is told from multiple points of view as Karlsson introduces us to the varied cast of fascinating characters. While it never felt confusing, it did take me a while to get to grips with who each person was as Karlsson established the people we will meet time and again in this series. Our main protagonist, Jakob Weber, is a great central character, while his new partner, Noora Yun Sande, is a mysterious addition with a dark backstory that provides a lot of uncertainty and tension. Karlsson also includes the mysterious killer’s perspective; the odious, cruel and twisted character allowing the author to explore the depravity that can lurk inside humanity. 

A taut, tense and propulsive thriller, this was a fantastic start to a new series and I can’t wait for book two!

Rating: ✮✮✮✮✰

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ABOUT THE AUTHOR:

Ørjan N. Karlsson (b. 1970) grew up in Bodø. A sociologist by trade, he received officer training in the army and has taken part in overseas missions. He has worked in the Defence Ministry and is now a departmental manager in the Norwegian Directorate for Civil Protection. He has written a large number of thrillers, sci-fi novels and crime novels for adults. 

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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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book reviews Emma's Anticipated Treasures Most Anticipated 2025

BOOK REVIEW: Death in the Arctic by Tom Hindle

Published January 16th, 2025 by Century
Mystery, Thriller, Suspense

Welcome to my review for this claustrophobic and nail-biting thriller. Thanks to Century for sending me a copy of the book in exchange for my honest review.

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ABOUT THE BOOK:

A frozen wilderness.


A killer in the skies.

When aspiring travel writer Chloé Campbell is invited aboard a luxury airship flying to the North Pole, she thinks she’s bagged the opportunity of a lifetime.

But she hasn’t had long to admire the dazzling icy views before a fellow passenger is found dead in their cabin.

Trapped at the top of the world, the group agrees a tragic accident has occurred. But as the hours tick by, fear turns to doubt.

It seems everyone’s a suspect.

And it isn’t long before the passengers begin to turn on each other . . .

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MY REVIEW:

The Osprey is a luxury airship on its maiden voyage over the arctic. On board are eight passengers all personally invited by one of its owners, and eight of crew. When one of the passengers is found dead in their room, faulty equipment is blamed. But soon some of those on board the craft begin to wonder if it really was an accident. Could they be trapped on the airship with a killer?

Chaotic, claustrophobic, nail-bitingly tense, devilishly clever, and filled with twists and turns, Death in the Arctic is a unique locked-room mystery that will keep you guessing. Tom Hindle is an author who has been on my TBR for years, and I have each of his books, but this was my first time reading one of them. And he is worth the hype. Expertly written, skillfully plotted, intricately woven and fast-paced, Hindle has managed to merge cosy crime with heart-pounding suspense. I will definitely be prioritising his backlist after reading this.

The book is filled with a cast of compelling characters, each with rich and sometimes intertwining backstories that add to the intrigue and tension. There are unreliable narrators, people we can’t trust, secrets, lies and desperation, all merged together on one aircraft. And as suspicion swirls following the death of a passenger, things begin to boil over and the finger is pointed in various directions. The story is told from multiple points of view, seamlessly moving between the narrators and offering a glimpse inside their psyche. The main narrator was Chloe, a travel blogger whose place on board the ship offers her the chance to finally write for a travel magazine. It’s her big break. But instead of writing her article, she finds herself investigating a possible murder and trying to stay one step ahead of the killer. 

An original and riveting thriller that kept me on my toes, this is one not to be missed. 

Rating: ✮✮✮✮✰

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ABOUT THE AUTHOR:

Tom Hindle hails from Leeds and lives in Oxfordshire with his wife, a cat and two surprisingly cunning tortoises. He is the author of A Fatal Crossing, The Murder Game and Murder on Lake Garda – which were inspired by masters of the crime genre such as Agatha Christie and Anthony Horowitz.

Tom is hard at work on his next murder mystery.

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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: Your Child Next by M. J. Arlidge and Andy Maslen

Publisihed January 16th, 2025 by Orion
Thriller, Mystery, Suspense, Psychological Thriller, Crime Fiction, Adventure Fiction

Happy Publication Day to this book. Today is my stop on the blog tour for this heart-pounding and thought-provoking thriller. Thank you to Tracy at Compulsive Readers Tours for the invitation to take part and to Orion for sending me a copy of the book in exchange for my honest review.

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ABOUT THE BOOK:

THEY’VE FAKED YOUR CHILD’S DEATH. AND IF YOU DON’T GIVE THEM WHAT THEY WANT, THEY’LL MAKE IT A REALITY.

Things have been difficult for Annie since her husband left; her teenage daughter, Isla, has become a ghost of her former self. Annie’s terrified that Isla might do something desperate, and she’ll lose her, too. So when Annie receives a video of herself crying at Isla’s funeral, her blood runs cold.

Confused and horrified, Annie races upstairs to check on Isla, who is alive and well. The video has been faked. But who sent it and what do they want?

One dark truth soon becomes clear: Annie is the latest in a string of parents being blackmailed, and Isla will be killed if Annie goes to the police or if she fails to give the sender what they want. Annie has a deadly choice: comply with the demands, or try to unmask the dangerous criminal.

Your Child Next is a thrilling and unputdownable novel that asks you how far you’d go to protect the ones you love. Perfect for fans of Harlan Coben and Steve Cavanagh.

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MY REVIEW:

Fast-paced, intense, twisty and compelling, Your Child Next is a nerve-shredding thriller gleaming with malice that is guaranteed to have you on the edge of your seat.

When Annie receives a disturbing email that has deep-faked her daughter’s death, she thinks it’s some kind of sick joke. But who would do such a thing? The answer soon becomes clear when she receives a call from someone claiming they are behind the video. They demand she pays them £1000 every month and if she doesn’t, or if she contacts the police, they will make the video a reality. Terrified and with no idea how she will meet their demands, Annie realises she has two choices: find a way to comply or unmask them.

M. J. Arlidge has been an auto-buy author for me for many years. His Helen Grace series is one of my favourites and he’s a thriller author I’ll always recommend. But this was my first time reading one of his co-authored books and I will admit I wondered if it would affect how much I enjoyed reading it. Especially as I’d never read anything by his co-author, Andy Maslen. But I needn’t have worried; this book was every bit as intricately woven, cleverly choreographed and skillfully layered as I’ve come to expect from Alridge. Dripping with suspense, it kept me guessing and I was hooked from the first page to its heart-stopping finale and devoured it in just two sittings. 

Told from multiple points of view, the book is filled with characters who are richly drawn, fascinating and flawed. Themes of mental health problems, grief, trauma and fear are examined through the characters. It also explores the pitfalls of social media, the dark underbelly of technology, and poses moral dilemmas, asking just how far you’d go to protect the ones you love. 

Sinister, chilling and utterly addictive, Your Child Next is a first-class thriller not to be missed. 

Out today. 

Rating: ✮✮✮✮✰

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ABOUT THE AUTHORS:

M. J. Arlidge

Matthew J. Arlidge has worked in television for the last twenty years, specialising in high-end drama production, including prime-time crime serials Silent Witness, Torn, The Little House and, most recently, the hit ITV show Innocent. In 2015 his audiobook exclusive Six Degrees of Assassination was a number-one bestseller. His debut thriller, Eeny Meeny, was the UK’s bestselling crime debut of 2014 and has been followed by ten more DI Helen Grace thrillers – all Sunday Times bestsellers. is an English author of crime novels, including the Helen Grace Series.

Andy Maslen

Andy Maslen writes thrillers across a number of genres: police procedurals, vigilante, psychological, suspense and horror. He spent 30 years in business before turning to writing full time. He is the creator of best-selling series featuring Gabriel Wolfe, Stella Cole and Inspector Ford, plus standalone novels and short stories. He lives in Wiltshire.

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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.