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BOOK REVIEW: The Bone Mother by Suzy Aspley

Published May 7th, 2026 by Orenda Books
Gothic Fiction, Crime Fiction, Mystery, Folklore, Horror Fiction

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ABOUT THE BOOK:

When reporter Martha Strangeways is summoned to investigate the discovery of body parts on a remote railway track, she’s drawn into a strange case, as her own past comes back to haunt her … The atmospheric, chilling series continues…

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Rituals
Secrets
A killer who will protect them at any cost…

Martha Strangeways has settled into a quiet life in Strathbran, after the horrific events that traumatised the village a year earlier. But all this is turned upside down when her friend at Glasgow CID, DI Derek Summers, calls on her to help with a disturbing case: a human ear, with an unusual Celtic earring, has been found next to a railway line in the Highlands.

And when the body of a young woman wearing matching jewellery turns up at a landmark church shortly after, the mystery deepens. Why has she been laid out in a ritualistic fashion? Does her trek along the little-known Cailleach Way have anything to do with her death? And who is running the Facebook Group where she posted details of her journey to the shrine of the Bone Mother goddess?

As Martha tries to unpick the threads, she finds herself entwined with a ghost from her own past, and in conflict with the owner of a project that threatens to destroy the goddess’s sacred land.

With Halloween approaching, and someone determined to protect the goddess at all costs, can Martha and Summers catch the killer before they strike again – and this time much closer to home…?

BUY HERE

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MY REVIEW:

Scotland, October 2019. Emma sets out to walk the Cailleach Way, a little-known trail that leads to the shrine of the Bone Mother, which is under threat from a developer who plans to build on the site. A few days later, part of a body is found on a railway line. Then the rest of the body is found laid out in ritualistic fashion at a landmark church wearing jewellery bearing the symbol of the Bone Mother. Journalist Martha Strangeways is called in to help investigate by her friend DI Derek Summers, and soon finds herself embroiled in a case that is much darker and dangerous than anyone suspended.

Unbearably tense, unsettling, ominous and totally addictive, The Bone Mother captured my attention from the first page and held it in a chokehold until the last. Steeped in folklore and legend, darkness runs through the pages of this story of rituals, secrets and murder. But be warned: once you start reading this one, make sure you have no other plans, including sleep, because you’ll not be putting this one down until you’re done. When I reviewed Suzy Aspley’s last book, her debut Crow Moon, I said there was a new queen of gothica in town and she has cemented that title with her spectacular sophomore offering. An exquisite sinister storyteller, she has crafted a story filled with emotion, dread and chilling, nail-biting tension. I was on the edge of my seat and devoured it in just one sitting, staying up until the early hours as I had to finish it before I could sleep.

The folklore of Cailleach – the Bone Mother goddess – is woven into every facet of this story. And Suzy’s meticulous research is evident in the details that are on these pages. Though she isn’t physically present the Bone Mother’s presence is felt at every turn. Many of the characters believe in her legend, and someone is clearly willing to go to murderous lengths to protect her sacred shrine. Suzy expertly weaves this myth with gothic horror and mystery to create an eerie tableau that keeps you guessing right up until the big reveal.

Martha is a plucky and likeable protagonist who is easy to root for, but she is also damaged and flawed. Martha has gone through a lot of trauma but it was great to see that she is dealing with it better this time around. Martha’s job as an investigative journalist makes her stand out from other crime protagonists. It also means that she can’t resist a mystery, gives her a unique lens through which to view each case and means she doesn’t technically have to adhere to the law. I’ll admit, I enjoyed watching her break the rules in order to get the answers she’s looking for.

Highly recommended.

Rating: ✮✮✮✮✮

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

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ABOUT THE AUTHOR:

Originally from the north-east of England, former journalist Suzy Aspley has lived in Scotland for almost thirty years. She writes crime and short stories, often inspired by the strange things she sees in the landscape around her. She won Bloody Scotland’s Pitch Perfect in 2019 with the original idea for her debut novel and was shortlisted for the London Capital Crime festival’s New Voices award. In 2020, she was mentored by Jo Dickinson as part of the Hachette future bookshelf initiative. Her novel, Crow Moon, was also longlisted for the Caledonia Novel Award, and shortlisted for the Val McDermid Debut Award and the Bloody Scotland Debut Prize. Herald Scotland said, “Crow Moon meets the definition of “eagerly awaited” more than most debuts’. The Bone Mother is the second book in the series featuring journalist Martha Strangeways.

When she’s not writing, she’s either got her nose buried in a book, or is outside with her dogs dreaming up more dark stories.

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Thanks for reading, Bibliophiles xxxxx

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Audio Books Beat the Backlist book reviews Emma's Anticipated Treasures Most Anticipated 2026

BOOK REVIEW: A Bad, Bad Place by Frances Crawford

Published February 12th, 2026 by Bantam
Historical Fiction, Mystery, Thriller, Crime Fiction, Psychological Thriller, Police Procedural

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ABOUT THE BOOK:

Don’t miss the award-winning crime debut of the year – perfect for fans of The List of Suspicious Things. A murder mystery unlike any other…

*WINNER: VAL McDERMID CRIME DEBUT AWARD*
*WINNER: McILVANNEY PRIZE FOR BEST SCOTTISH CRIME BOOK OF THE YEAR*
*WINNER: BLOODY SCOTLAND DEBUT PRIZE*

What happened to the dog walker who found the body?

Glasgow, 1979.

Twelve-year-old Janey won’t take her dog, Sid Vicious, for a walk. Not anymore. It’s Sid’s fault she found the murdered woman.

Janey claims she can’t remember what she saw at the abandoned railway, but the police think she’s hiding something. And they’re not the only ones interested.

Fear and rumour rip through the tight-knit community of Possilpark. Janey and her nana, Maggie, are dragged into the hunt for a murderer. And Maggie’s struggle to keep her beloved granddaughter safe becomes ever more desperate.

Because Janey’s memories can’t stay hidden forever.

And neither can the killer…

BUY HERE

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MY REVIEW:

Glasgow, 1979. Twelve-year-old Janey won’t take her dog, Sid Vicious for a walk anymore. Not since she found the body. Janey claims not to remember what she saw that day at the abandoned railway, but the police don’t believe her. And they are right. Janey is haunted by the brutal images she saw that day but has vowed to herself she’ll never reveal what she really saw. And as rumours sweep through their tight-knit community, Janey’s nana, Maggie, tries to keep her granddaughter safe from a killer that is still on the loose. 

This sensational debut has won multiple crime awards here in the UK this year and it is easy to see why. Insightful, funny, gut-wrenching, original and addictive, it had me on the edge of my seat from start to finish. Exquisitely written, this first-class thriller is a masterclass in pace, plotting and tension. The story has a strong sense of place and a troubled, small-town vibe. This is a place where everybody knows everybody and they like to think there are no secrets. But when Sam is murdered they are forced to wrestle with the fact that one of them is keeping the darkest of secrets. But who? There are multiple suspects and unreliable narrators which kept me guessing right up until the final page. Frances Crawford had me in a chokehold, my heart racing through the twists and turns, right up until that final reveal. And I’m still not over that ending!

The characters feel achingly human. They are messy, flawed, vulnerable and real; ordinary people who have been plunged into a nightmare. The tragedy consumes and haunts them, their horror leaping from the pages as you walk every step beside them. Told in alternating chapters by Janey and Maggie, Janey’s chapters begin with however many days it has been since the murder, which I found heartbreaking. It is evident how much of an effect this has had on her and I can’t imagine seeing something so horrific at just twelve years old. Janey is haunted by what she saw and terrified to admit what she knows but also eager to see justice done for Sam, so she quietly starts her own investigation, which felt like a very real response. Maggie is also well written. Strong and fiercely protective, I loved the relationship she had with Janey and it is obvious she only does what she thinks is best for her granddaughter. I liked that we got to know Sam as a person, too, even though she’s already dead at the start of the book.

A tense, heart-rending and unmissable debut, this is a must-read for all thriller lovers. 

Rating: ✮✮✮✮✮

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

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ABOUT THE AUTHOR:

As a passionate advocate of lifelong learning, Frances Crawford graduated in 2022, age 60, with MLitt (Distinction) in Creative Writing from Glasgow University. In 2023, she won the Bloody Scotland/Glencairn Crime Short Story Competition, and the first chapters of her debut novel A Bad, Bad Place won Highly Commended in the Moniack Mhor Emerging Writer Award 2024. 

A Bad, Bad Place was published by Transworld in February 2026, and has since won the 2026 Theakston Old Peculier McDermid Debut Award at Harrogate Festival, the 2026 Bloody Scotland Debut Prize, and the 2026 McIlvanney Award for Best Scottish Crime Novel at Bloody Scotland: the first author to win both awards in one year. 

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Thanks for reading, Bibliophiles xxxx

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book reviews Emma's Anticipated Treasures Most Anticipated 2026

BOOK REVIEW: Peck & Peck by Bonnie Garmus

Published October 13th, 2026 by Manilla Press
Historical Fiction, Literary Fiction, Humorous Fiction, Coming-of-Age Story

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ABOUT THE BOOK:

The number one bestselling author of global sensation Lessons in Chemistry returns. Peck & Peck is the irresistible story of a young man whose life is turned upside down when he is hired by the most prestigious, secretive and dysfunctional poetry journal in the world: the renowned Peck & Peck . . .

‘Charming, uplifting, soulful, and original’ KRISTIN HANNAH, bestselling author of The Women

‘A brilliant satire that’s full of humor and heart’ MEG MASON, bestselling author of Sorrow and Bliss

It’s 1982, New York City. Crime is on the rise, muggings are in the streets, and Batter Gray, recent college graduate with a skill that no one wants – an ‘ear’ for poetry – is worried about his future. While all his friends have real jobs, he’s folding T-shirts at the Gap. As for love? No. Not unless you count Sallie Mae, the student loan tyrant. He hears from Sallie all the time.

But when Batter gets a dream job at Peck & Peck, the most prestigious poetry quarterly in the world, his life moves into the literary fast lane. Soon Batter is knee-deep in the secret war between the two Editors in Chief, the famous Peck brothers – twins and enemies – as well as being privy to the private affairs of their thirty-nine editors, whose professed mission is the same: Find originality. Reward creativity. Burn the rest. And by ‘burn’, they mean incinerate.

Because at Peck & Peck, ‘good’ isn’t good enough, ‘interesting’ doesn’t cut it, plagiarists aren’t tolerated, and parolees run the mailroom. Still want to submit your poem? Go with God.

Welcome to another dazzling and unforgettable novel from Bonnie Garmus, author of Lessons in Chemistry. Hugely original, brilliantly funny and peopled with unforgettable characters, Peck & Peck is both a passionate ode to the written word and a heartwarming exploration of all that makes us human.

BUY HERE

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MY REVIEW:

Meet Batter Gray. An ordinary man with an extraordinary ‘ear’ for poetry, Batter has always dreamed of working for Peck and Peck, the best poetry quarterly in the world. But life isn’t going the way he hoped. His college friends are getting well-paid jobs while he’s juggling three menial jobs and struggling to make ends meet. Then fate steps in and Batter finds himself outside the offices of Peck and Peck. He’s granted an interview and is thrilled to get the job; even though he’s in the copy room rather than editing the journal. But Batter soon realises that there’s something strange going on at Peck and Peck and finds himself caught in the crossfires between the twin brothers fighting for control of the quarterly. 

WHAT. A. BOOK. Witty, wise, heartwarming and uplifting, this magnificent story is a balm for the soul. Feeling both fantastical and yet also firmly rooted in reality, this moving story invites us to step inside a world made of poetry and words that you will get lost in. A story about life, love, friendship, family and standing up for what you believe in, it contains many life lessons and thought-provoking moments that will stay with me. I never wanted it to end. But I will admit, I’d been nervous before starting this book. I loved Lessons in Chemistry and its protagonist Elizabeth Zott so much that I was worried this wouldn’t meet my high hopes. But I needen’t have worried. Bonnie Garmus showcases she is no one-hit wonder with this spectacular story. She also shows us she has a style of writing that is distinctly all her own, creating joyful stories about quirky characters that will break and then mend your heart.

This is a book that contains lots of small details that enhance the joy of reading it. The book opens with a list of the different definitions of ‘peck’, something I loved and really set the tone of the story. Then, as a namenerd I loved the unusual names in this book and the story of how Batter the human got his name. And I can’t write this review without mentioning the scene setting. From the extraordinary offices of Peck and Peck to the city of New York, the imagery is so evocative and detailed that these places leapt from the page and felt like characters in their own right.

Bonnie has filled the book with a cast of original, offbeat and flawed characters who leap from the pages. Batter is an unforgettable protagonist who manages to be both the everyman and totally stand out from the crowd. I loved his best friend, Paul, and his parents, but my favourite character is Batter’s namesake, Batter the dog. I loved this iconic character. Although he is only ever a memory that we hear about when Batter’s mum tells her wild stories of the dog’s heroics, he was so vividly written that he felt alive. Another thing I enjoyed is that we were never completely sure who the ‘bad guy’ was and Bonnie kept me guessing and there were a number of reveals that took me by surprise. 

This unforgettable story is a must for every reader’s TBR.

Rating: ✮✮✮✮✮

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

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ABOUT THE AUTHOR:

Bonnie Garmus is a coffee-dependent American novelist. Her debut novel, Lessons in Chemistry, was a Good Morning America Book Club Pick, a Goodreads Choice Best Book of the Year, and a Barnes & Noble Book of the Year. It spent nearly two years on the New York Times bestseller list, nearly three years on Der Spiegel, was selected as one of the top 100 books in the 21st Century by readers of the New York Times and was voted #5 of Australia’s ABC Radio Top 100 Books of the 21st Century. Selected by Queen Camilla for the Queen’s Reading Room, it has been honored with sixteen other international literary awards. Translated into more than forty languages, it was made into an Apple TV limited series. Peck & Peck is her second novel.

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Thanks for reading, Bibliophiles xxxxx

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book reviews Emma's Anticipated Treasures Most Anticipated 2026 Squadpod Squadpod Book Club Squadpod Reviews

SQUADPOD BOOK CLUB: The Trouble with Sister Francis by Matt Coyne

Published August 27th, 2026 by Wildfire
Humorous Fiction, Domestic Fiction

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ABOUT THE BOOK:

A heartwarming and hilarious new novel from the Sunday Times bestselling author of FRANK AND RED

Sister Francis is an unlikely nun.

She’s sixty, sweary, drives like a lunatic and smokes like a stacked chimney . . . and she runs the Blessed Assumption Boys Club.

Richie, Bennett, Kenny and Stan are four best friends from the Whittle council estate with little to do but get up to no good. After a run-in with local bullies, they discover the crumbling, forgotten club and find themselves in the company of the most remarkable person they will ever meet.

Set against early 1980s Britain, THE TROUBLE WITH SISTER FRANCIS is a funny, heartwarming, and heartbreaking story of unlikely heroes, quiet rebellions, fierce loyalty and unexpected hope.

And at the centre of it all lies a long-forgotten journal that might just change everything.

BUY HERE

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MY REVIEW:

There are some books you just know you are going to love before you’ve even started reading. The Trouble with Sister Francis is one of those books. Matt Coyne’s debut, Frank and Red, was my favourite book of 2024 and I’ve been eagerly awaiting his sophomore offering ever since. So when I learned it would be the SquadPod Book Club pick for August, I was thrilled. But when I received the book I didn’t want to pick it up, because I knew once I did I knew I’d never want it to end. 

Sister Francis is not your usual nun. She’s sixty, sweary, chain-smokes, reads the racing post and drives like a lunatic. But she also has a heart of gold and cares deeply about young people. Rich is a normal boy from a council estate in Sheffield. He lives with his mum and grandad and spends his free time hanging out with his mates Bennett, Stanley and Kenny at the local park or getting up to no good. When the group have a run-in with the local bullies, Rich’s mum gives him an ultimatum: Boy’s Club or spending the summer with his Auntie Carole. He chooses the Boy’s Club and takes his friends along with him to the dilapidated clubhouse. What follows is a heartwarming, hilarious and hopeful story that is impossible to put down.

This is a story that will break your heart and make it whole again, wrapping around you like a warm hug and splitting your sides with laughter. A story about friendship, loyalty, community and unlikely heroes, the book is filled with wonderful characters I absolutely adored. Sister Francis is now one of my favourite heroines and it was impossible not to have a soft spot for Rich, Bennet, Kenny and Stanley. One of my favourite things about this book is the portrayal of friendship, especially between these four young lads. I loved seeing how they were there for each other and the loyalty they had for each other. 

Overflowing in northern charm and 80s nostalgia, this book felt like home and transported me back to my own childhood at that time on a council estate in Sheffield. Matt has captured the era so perfectly; that time when summer meant hanging out with friends and the days felt endless. There is also a past timeline which is told through extracts from a journal written by a teenage boy from 1938-41 Reginald was one of the attendees of the original Boy’s Club (or The Dead Dad’s Club as it was then known). I loved these extracts. Matt expertly captures the vibe of an angst-filled teenager and all of the dilemmas that come at that stage of life whilst combining them with the brutal realities of war. 

One of the core themes of this book is that it is a story about the unfortunates; those people who are struggling in life. For example, Reginald is an evacuee, Rich lost his father when he was just six, and all of his friends have problems at home of some kind. It is even evident in the Boy’s Club, which was formed during World War II for the boys whose fathers were away and sometimes didn’t come home. And once again we see how friendship and community can help, offering us hope and restoring our faith in people. 

Warm, witty and absolutely wonderful, I highly recommend this book.

Rating: ✮✮✮✮✮

Thank you Wildfire for sending me a copy of the book in exchange for my hoenst review.

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ABOUT THE AUTHOR:

Matt was born and raised in Sheffield and, in his younger years, made himself a poster-boy for staying in full-time education, by doing a succession of genuinely crappy jobs. Variously, he has been a toilet roll packer, turnstile-operator, cardboard box folder and a sorter of coat-hangers for Burton Menswear. Matt has been sacked a lot.

After a couple of years of this he returned to education to obtain an English degree from Manchester University. From University, Matt drifted into the graphic arts. In 2007, he quit and set up his own print and design company.

In September 2015, Matt became a father for the first time, to Charlie. After three months of dealing with the missile of chaos that is a newborn, he posted his thoughts online. In January 2016, these thoughts went viral. The original post was shared over fifty thousand times and was featured in newspapers and on television across the world. Matt’s first book, Dummy, based on his experiences of being a first-time father, was published in 2017 by Headline. The follow-up, Man vs. Toddler, was published by Headline in 2019. Matt’s first children’s book, My Dad and the Toot that Shook the World, came out in 2024, the same year that his debut novel, Frank and Red, was also published.

Matt is also a singer/songwriter with the band ‘Terry and Dead’ and has appeared on compilation albums with Paul Heaton, Billy Bragg and Sleaford Mods. He lives in Sheffield with his son Charlie, his partner Lyndsay and a Jack Russell terrier with ‘issues’ called Eddie.

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Thanks for reading, Bibliophiles xxxx

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BOOK REVIEW: They Can’t Burn Us All by Cathryn Kemp

Published August 13th, 2026 by Bantam
Historical Fiction, Historical Fantasy, Fairy Tale, Dark Fantasy, Adventure Fiction

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ABOUT THE BOOK:

From the award-winning author of A Poisoner’s Tale comes a dark, feminist retelling of the most famous witch trial in 17th-century Iceland, perfect for fans of The Witches of Vardo and The Mercies

Westfjords, Iceland. 1655

Þuríður Jónsdóttir has grown up praying to the old gods and watching her father and brother practise rune magic.

But now, a witch-hunting craze is sweeping across the land of ice and fire, fuelled by the Protestant Reformation. Unlike elsewhere in Europe, those condemned as witches here are not women, but men of learning. And when Þuríður’s father and brother are accused of witchcraft and condemned to burn at the stake, she is helpless to save them.

As Lutheran Pastor Jón Magnússon’s accusing gaze turns to Þuríður herself, the first woman to be called ‘witch’, he will find that she is no ordinary woman.

She is prepared to fight back. But at what cost?

And in an age of fear and persecution, whose side will the community take? Who will fight for justice?

Set against a backdrop of sweeping religious and social change, They Can’t Burn Us All is a feminist retelling of Iceland’s notorious Kirkjuból witch trials.

BUY HERE

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MY REVIEW:

One of the things I love about historical fiction is when a true story is retold and I learn about things I’d never heard of before. Obviously, we all know about the witch trials. But I knew little about Iceland’s witch trials and nothing about the witch trials of Kirkjuból. 

Westfjords, Iceland. 1655. Þuríður Jónsdóttir has grown up praying to the old gods and watching her father and brother make a living practising rune magic. But the King of Denmark has declared praying to the old gods and a crime and witch trials are sweeping through Iceland. Then, Lutheran Pastor Jón Magnùsson accuses her father and brother of witchcraft, puts them on trial and sentences them to burn at the stake. Powerless to save them, Þuríður is left alone. But the Pastor isn’t done with her family yet. He turns his attention to Þuríður and accuses her of being a witch, making her the first woman in Iceland to face such an accusation. But Þuríður won’t go down without a fight and the Pastor is about to discover she is no ordinary woman…

Cathryn Kemp shows that her debut was no one trick wonder by delivering another powerful and unforgettable retelling. Darkly atmospheric, haunting, heartrending and unsettling, I was under her spell from the first page to the last. Exquisitely written and meticulously researched, the story is so detailed that I could feel the icy snow, smell the stench of the jails and hear the raven’s cries. A story of female agency, female rage, prejudice, religious fever and the power of silence, there is a real sense of urgency, fire and savagery on these pages. These women’s long-forgotten voices rise from the annals of history to remind us how important women’s voices are and how vital it is that we speak up against those trying to strip us of our rights. And then there’s that stirring and spectacular finale that I haven’t been able to stop thinking about. Sheer perfection! 

The story is filled with charismatic characters that you will both love and hate. Strong, determined and headstrong, Þuríður is an unforgettable heroine. I am a big believer in silence speaking louder than words when people are committed to misunderstanding you, and Þuríður takes that to another level. She hasn’t spoken a word since her mother’s death a decade earlier and her silence only adds to her allure. She exudes defiance and her silence only riles those trying to persecute her even more. On the opposite end of the spectrum we have Lutheran Pastor Jón Magnùsson. I despised this man. A vile, unscrupulous character who uses religion as an excuse to persecute and punish those he feels have wronged him, I felt the anger burn within me every time he was on the page. I needed this villain to get his comeuppance. 

Gripping, magical and utterly spellbinding, this is a must-read for anyone who enjoys historical fiction or witchy stories. 

Rating: ✮✮✮✮✮

Thank you Bantam for senidng me a copy of the book in exchange for my honest review.

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ABOUT THE AUTHOR:

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

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

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

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

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

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Thank you for reading, Bibliophiles xxxxx

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BOOK REVIEW: Wildflower by Becky Jenkinson

Published June 18th, 2026 by Zaffre
Fantasy Fiction, Cozy Fantasy, Romantasy

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ABOUT THE BOOK:

Cursed from birth to always tell the truth, magical florist Felicity ‘Fliss’ Farrow chooses her words carefully and avoids trouble. But when she receives an anonymous request for a mysterious flower, her quest leads her directly into trouble’s path, to Willoh Vane.

Fliss knows the outcast – yet teasingly handsome – sorcerer is rumoured to have used dark magic to corrupt the northern forest five years ago. She’s witnessed the resulting feud with Prince Bastion, whom her best friend, Card, is soon to marry. Despite the divided loyalty she feels, Fliss reluctantly accepts Will’s help with gathering more rare flowers and finds herself increasingly drawn to him.

As the royal wedding approaches, Fliss fears the flowers she’s delivered are intended for a sinister purpose. But with her warnings ignored, can she and Will save the kingdom from disaster, and ultimately discover what Fliss has sought for so long – the truth behind her curse?

‘Absolutely charming! With lovable characters, a unique floral magic system, and a story that tugs on your heartstrings, Wildflower is a true delight’
TESSONJA ODETTE, Sunday Times bestselling author of The Lies That Summon the Night

BUY HERE

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MY REVIEW:

If you’re looking for a book that feels like summer, or a story that makes you feel like you’re skipping through a field of flowers on a warm summer’s day, then look no further. Wildflower is the book for you. Cosy, enchanting, romantic and heartfelt, this whimsical romantasy is an absolute delight. 

The story follows florist Felicity ‘Fliss’ Farrow, who was cursed from birth to always tell the truth. One day Fliss receives an anonymous request asking for a mysterious and rare flower that can only be located in a forbidden part of the land and home to the wicked sorcerer, Willoh Vane. Everyone knows Willoh is trouble. Fliss reluctantly accepts his help and finds herself drawn to the handsome outcast. When Fliss begins to fear that the flowers she delivered are intended for a sinister purpose, can she and Willoh save those she loves from a dark fate?

The best way to describe this book is sweet but deadly. Overall this is a cosy read that made me feel like I was wrapped in a warm hug but it has a deadly sting in its tail that strikes when you least expect it. Gorgeously written, Becky Jenkinson has filled this story with wonderful characters, original magic, imaginative world-building, witty banter, swoon-worthy romance, dark curses and malevolent conspiracies, this has everything  you want from a cosy fantasy and more. It was exactly the balm I needed after a few darker stories back to back, and I’ve not stopped thinking about it ever since I finished. 

Fliss is a wonderful heroine who is strong, feisty and likeable. I enjoyed the complications that arose from her curse and watching her come up with great ways to get around it. The curse also leaves her fearful of being used, an anxiety I think many of us can relate to even if we aren’t cursed. One of my favourite parts of this story was the relationship between Fliss and Willoh. Every interaction was sizzling with chemistry and their banter was so much fun. Handsome and charming but also cocky, Willoh isn’t your usual love interest. But we all know it’s hard to resist a bad-boy. On paper they may have been a disaster but I was rooting for them. 

Don’t miss this gorgeous debut.

Rating: 💐💐💐💐💐

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ABOUT THE AUTHOR:

Becky Jenkinson is a writer, illustrator and teacher from Manchester, England. She graduated with a degree in Animation from Norwich University of the Arts, and in 2019, moved to Tokyo, Japan, where she currently teaches English. When she isn’t frequenting Tokyo Disneyland, she spends her free time hooked on video games, watching musicals, and requesting more photos of her cat back in England.

Wildflower is her debut novel.

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Thanks for reading, Bibliophiles xxxx

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BOOK REVIEW: Underwater by Tara Menon

Published March 12th, 20206 by Summit Books UK
Literary Fiction, Psychological Fiction, Domestic Fiction, Nautical Fiction

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ABOUT THE BOOK:

A stunning and deeply moving novel of grief, loss and female friendship, set against the backdrop of two cataclysmic natural events.

When six-year-old Marissa loses her mother, she is taken by her father to live on a small Thai island in the Andaman Sea. There, she forms a deep friendship with Arielle and together they explore the fragile wonders of its forests, reefs, and beaches. Holding their breath for minutes at a time, they learn to dive into the deep, as effortlessly synchronized as the manta rays they come to know by name. Then, on Boxing Day 2004, when the Indian Ocean tsunami makes landfall, they are swept up by the first wave and separated.

Eight years later, Marissa is living in New York. She spends her days wandering through the city and her nights seeking solace in the beds of strangers. As the city prepares for a devastating storm, Marissa reflects on her past and learns how to sustain herself in a precarious world.

Under Water is a story about friendship and grief, but also ecological change and natural disasters. It is a meditation on loss, a tribute to our dying oceans and forests, and a love letter to the disappearing coral reefs.

‘The horrors of 2004 are told with verve in this debut about a woman haunted by survivor guilt . . . there are stunning descriptions of island wildlife . . . Tara Menon tells the story with confidence and style’ Sunday Times

BUY HERE

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MY REVIEW:

On Sunday, December 26th 2004 the Indian Ocean tsunami made landfall and killed an estimated 227. 898 people in fourteen countries. In this phenomenal debut, Tara Menon explores this tragedy through the eyes of one fictional character, Marissa, who lives on a small Thai island in the Andaman Sea but is in Thailand with her best friend, Arielle, on the day the tsunami strikes. 

This isn’t a book you simply read. It’s one you live. And you will never be the same again once you do. Atmospheric, heartbreaking, raw and utterly mesmerising, I finished this magnificent debut in just two sittings. A heart-wrenching story of family, friendship, loss and trauma, it had me on the verge of tears many times. The whole thing reads like a movie, and as we are transported back to the terrifying day when the sea roared and consumed thousands, I could see every moment like it was on the big screen in front of me and hear the orchestra kicking in with emotional music as the tears welled in my eyes. Tara Menon’s writing is beautiful, evocative, poignant and richly layered, holding me in a chokehold from the first page to the last. It is written with such skill and emotion that I could hardly breathe. Tara has a talent for storytelling and I can’t wait to read whatever she writes next. 

We follow Marissa in two timelines: 2004 and 2012, when she is living in New York seeking solace in the beds of strangers. As New York prepares for a devastating storm, Marissa reflects on the events of that tragic day, and the loss of her mother when she was just six years old. After her mother’s death, she and her father move back to the small island they are from and it is here that she meets Arielle, the girl who becomes her best friend and the two are quickly inseparable. As the story builds up to the tsunami there is an undercurrent of tension and grief is woven into every facet of the story. I really related to Marissa’s grief for Arielle, especially when she talked about carrying Arielle with her everywhere and still talking to her in private. 

A truly remarkable debut that you won’t be able to forget.

Rating: ✮✮✮✮✮

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ABOUT THE AUTHOR:

Tara Menon was born in India, grew up in Singapore, spent a decade in New York, and now lives in Cambridge, Massachusetts where she is an assistant professor of English at Harvard University. Her writing has appeared in The New York Times Book Review, the Nation and the Paris Review.

Under Water is her debut novel and it has been shortlisted for the Waterstones Debut Fiction Prize 2026.

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Thanks for reading, Bibliophiles xxxxx

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Audio Books book reviews Emma's Anticipated Treasures

BOOK REVIEW: Mad Mabel by Sally Hepworth

Published July 9th, 2026 by Pan Macmillan
Thriller, Mystery, Domestic Fiction

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ABOUT THE BOOK:

Mad Mabel was an instant New York Times bestseller and a No. 1 bestseller in Australia. Discover why readers across the globe have fallen for this twisty, surprising and charming novel.

‘Funny, twisty and suspenseful’ – Harlan Coben

‘A twisty page-turning triumph, packed with wit, warmth, nuance and mystery. Brilliant’ – Jane Harper

YOU CAN CHANGE
YOUR NAME.
BUT YOU CAN’T
CHANGE YOUR PAST . . .

Eighty-one-year-old Elsie Fitzpatrick lives a quiet life in the suburbs. Few would guess that Elsie, aside from being a curmudgeon who minds everyone else’s business, harbours a secret she’s worked hard to bury.

Because when it comes to murder, no one ever suspects little girls or old ladies. And Elsie Mabel Fitzpatrick – once a little girl and now an old lady – has a strange history of people in her life coming to a foul end.

When an elderly neighbour is found dead, no one suspects a thing – until they uncover Elsie’s true identity: Mad Mabel, the youngest Australian in history to be convicted of murder, more than sixty years ago.

The police are asking questions. The media is circling. Has the past finally caught up with Mad Mabel? Or is it time for her to set the record straight?

buy here

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MY REVIEW:

81-year-old Elsie Mabel Fitzpatrick is not someone who blends in with the crowd. At 6ft tall with broad shoulders, she’s used to standing out. And don’t mistake her for a sweet old lady. She’s more likely to call you ‘dipshit’ than ‘dear’. Elsie has lived on Kenny Lane for over sixty years. But she has a secret. As a child, Elsie was known as ‘Mad Mabel’ and became Australia’s most notorious child killer. And there were rumours it wasn’t the first time she’d killed. Now, after decades of keeping her dark past a secret, the truth threatens to be exposed after she finds her neighbour dead and is questioned by police. Maybe now is the time for Mabel to finally tell her side of the story. But is she mad? And is she guilty?

Two of my favourite tropes are anti-heroes and elderly protagonists, plus I’m a sucker for a story with black humour, so this book had my name written all over it. And it did not disappoint. Darkly funny, quirky, crazy, cryptic, tense and utterly compelling, I devoured it in two sittings. Expertly written, hilarious, cleverly plotted and filled with charismatic characters, this is the definition of an unputdownable page-turner. The story seems simple, but there is so much more to it. Layered, nuanced, warm and richly drawn, this is a twisty tale that will keep you guessing right up until the final page. Sally drips intrigue and foreboding like breadcrumbs for us to follow out of the woods and teases Mabel’s story, revealing pieces slowly in flashbacks to her childhood leading up to the murder. It is also more than a murder mystery. It’s a story about loneliness, identity, trauma, and the power of female friendship.

I love an unlikely heroine and an elderly protagonist, so I was excited to get to know Mabel. And this unforgettable woman is now one of my favourite characters of all time. Quirky, eccentric, feisty and secretive, she comes across as curmudgeonly at first but we soon learn there is more hiding beneath her spiky surface. Underneath her strong, no-nonsense veneer, there is a vulnerability from her past traumas that made me feel protective of this fabulous octogenarian. And it made me love her even more. 

Rating: ✮✮✮✮✮

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

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ABOUT THE AUTHOR:

Sally Hepworth is the New York Times bestselling author of ten novels, most recently Mad Mabel. Sally’s novels have been called “darkly charming” and praised by authors Emily Giffin and Liane Moriarty as “totally absorbing” and “fiction at its finest.”

Sally’s novels have sold millions of copies worldwide and been translated into over 30 languages.

Sally lives in Melbourne, Australia with her family.

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Blog Tours book reviews Emma's Anticipated Treasures

BLOG TOUR REVIEW: The Colour of Home by Tammye Huf

Published July 2nd, 2026 by Bantam
Historical Fiction, Romance Novel, Southern Fiction

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ABOUT THE BOOK:

A compelling and moving historical love story exploring the untold impact of segregation during WW2, for fans of The Women by Kristen Hannah and The Tattooist of Auschwitz.

‘You want to risk everything – for a country that’s never cared if you live or die?’

1941: In a segregated Florida town, three young Black men enlist to fight for a freedom they’ve never known at home.

Before they leave, Cora marries in haste to secure her future – but her heart remains divided between the man she wed and the man she truly loves.

1945: As war finally ends, everything shifts. The boys Cora knew return as men she barely recognises, carrying scars no one can see – and truths that threaten to unravel everything Cora has fought to hold together.

Set against the backdrop of war where Black men and women weren’t allowed to be heroes, comes a powerful, deeply moving novel about love, sacrifice and the epic resilience of the human spirit.

BUY HERE

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MY REVIEW:

Florida, 1941. In the segregated south, three Black men sign up to fight for their country, determined to fight for the freedom they have never enjoyed. With her brother, secret sweetheart and friend all going to war, Cora is terrified. And when her brother, Benny, comes up with a solution to secure her future, she goes against her heart and agrees. But when the men return they are unrecognisable and carrying invisible scars that haunt their days and nights. And Cora must finally confront the reality of the decision she made before they went to war. 

Powerful, immersive, affecting, tense and enthralling, I lost myself in this book. Magnificently written, wonderfully descriptive and exquisitely crafted, Tammye Huf held me in her thrall. A story that packs a strong emotional punch, it is easily one of the best books I’ve read this year. Steeped in meticulously researched historic detail that has inspired characters drawn from the real-life stories of her own family, this is a story woven with love, grief, longing and rage that will stay with me. 

One of my favourite eras to read about is WW2 and I admit I know little about the realities of life for Black men and women in America during that time. So I was excited to read this book and learn more. The novel thrums with the tempestuous atmosphere of war and segregation; the darkness of prejudice like a cloak over every page. And Huf spares the reader nothing in her vivid descriptions of the brutal horror of prejudice, bringing home the harrowing and raw truth of what Black men and women endured at the hands of racists.

The story is filled with charismatic and unforgettable characters who I loved reading. As hate festered, they refused to accept the helplessness that was being forced upon them to stand up, be counted and evoke change. But I admit, Cora was my favourite. She is an inspirational woman and I loved watching as she found her moxie and began to fight and make a real difference in the world. We need more people like her and I am so glad Ms. Huf allowed me to get to know her through this story.

Rating: ✮✮✮✮✮

Thank you to Insta Book Tours for the invitaiton to take part in this blog tour and to Bantam for sending me a copy of the book in exchange for my honest review

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ABOUT THE AUTHOR:

Originally from the US, Tammye has lived in the UK with her husband and three kids for the last twenty years. Since earning her BA from Wellesly College, she has worked as a teacher, copywriter and translator. Her debut novel, A More Perfect Union, was published in 2020 and won the Diverse Book Award; it was also listed for The Times and The Sunday Times‘ Best Historical Fiction Novel, and selected as a BBC Radio 2 Book Club pick.

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Thanks for reading, Bibliophiles xxxx

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Audio Books book reviews

AUDIOBOOK REVIEW: The Mad Wife by Meagan Church

Published October 30th, 2025 by Sourcebooks
Historical Fiction, Thriller, Suspense, Psychological Fiction, Bildungsroman, Domestic Fiction

*I listened to this on Bookbeat. Click here to listen free for 45 days*

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ABOUT THE BOOK:

THE INSTANT NEW YORK TIMES BESTSELLER

From bestselling author Meagan Church comes a haunting exploration of identity, motherhood, and the suffocating grip of societal expectations that will leave you questioning the lives we build―and the lies we live.

They called it hysteria. She called it survival.

Lulu Mayfield has spent the last five years molding herself into the perfect 1950s housewife. Despite the tragic memories that haunt her and the weight of exhausting expectations, she keeps her husband happy, her household running, and her gelatin salads the talk of the neighborhood. But after she gives birth to her second child, Lulu’s carefully crafted life begins to unravel.

When a new neighbor, Bitsy, moves in, Lulu suspects that something darker lurks behind the woman’s constant smile. As her fixation on Bitsy deepens, Lulu is drawn into a web of unsettling truths that threaten to expose the cracks in her own life. The more she uncovers about Bitsy, the more she questions everything she thought she knew―and soon, others begin questioning her sanity. But is Lulu truly losing her mind? Or is she on the verge of discovering a reality too terrifying to accept?

In the vein of The Bell Jar and The Hours, The Mad Wife weaves domestic drama with psychological suspense, so poignant and immersive, you won’t want to put it down.

BUY HERE

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MY REVIEW:

Atmospheric, thought-provoking, moving and powerful, The Mad Wife is a haunting and mesmerising portrait of identity, motherhood, silenced voices and societal expectations. It follows Lulu, an ordinary suburban woman who has spent the last five years becoming the perfect 1950s housewife that everyone expects her to be. But she never quite feels like she fits in and it all seems so much easier for the other women on her street. Then, after the birth of her second child, her carefully curated life begins to unravel and she develops a fixation on her new neighbour, Bitsy, who she is sure is hiding something. People soon notice something isn’t right. The doctor diagnoses hysteria. Is Lulu really losing her mind? Or is there another explanation?

What an amazing read! An easy five stars from me. This was my first time reading a Meagan Church novel, but now I can’t wait to devour her backlist. Exquisitely written, cleverly choreographed, intricately woven and meticulously researched, I felt like I’d stepped back in time when reading this book. 1950s America is brought to life in vivid technicolour and I could see the perfectly manicured lawns and smell the cigarette smoke. The characters are richly drawn and compelling while Lulu is a great protagonist who was likeable and easy to root for. I felt for her being trapped in a world where she has so many expectations on her while she’s in the trenches of motherhood. Men at the time were completely unhelpful so she was basically doing it all alone and it was expected that she do so with a smile on her face and without complaining. In terms of other characters, I really enjoyed Nora, her neighbour and friend, who seemed like a light in her life.

A haunting story with warm humanity at its heart, Meagan shines a light on some important issues including the silencing of women’s voices, medical misdiagnosis, and the dangerous consequences of doctors dismissing women, something that is sadly still all-too prevalent today. But I loved the dark humour that is woven into the story from the start and how such a complex story that explores some dark topics manages to remain enjoyable. And that twist! I did not see it coming and my heart broke in two as it was revealed, pulling the rug from under me and changing everything I thought I knew. Then there is the epilogue. I was fighting back tears and I swear, Meagan, that you were trying to break me. 

A riveting and surprising story that will have you hooked, I highly recommend this book.

Rating: ✮✮✮✮✮

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ABOUT THE AUTHOR:

Meagan Church is the New York Times and USA Today bestselling author of The Mad Wife, The Girls We Sent Away, and The Last Carolina Girl. She writes emotionally-charged, thought-provoking, empathy-inducing stories that explore the complexity of human nature. Her historical fiction chronicles the plight and fight of unheard voices of the past. Meagan holds a B.A. in English from Indiana University and is an adjunct for Drexel University’s MFA in creative writing program. A Midwesterner by birth, she now lives in North Carolina with her high school sweetheart, three children, and a plethora of pets.

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Thanks for reading, Bibliophiles xxxxx

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