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Audio Books book reviews Emma's Anticipated Treasures

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

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

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ABOUT THE BOOK:

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

#EyeForAnEye

buy here

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MY REVIEW:

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

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

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

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

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

Rating: ✮✮✮✮.5

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ABOUT THE AUTHOR:

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

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Thanks for reading, Bibliophiles xxxx

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Audio Books Beat the Backlist book reviews Emma's Anticipated Treasures Most Anticipated 2025

AUDIOBOOK REVIEW: The Lamplighters Bookshop by Sophie Austin

Published March 13th, 2025 by Harper Fiction
Historical Fiction, Romance Novel, Historical Romance, Gaslamp Fantasy

*I listened to this book on Bookbeat. Click here for 60 days free listening with my affiliate code*

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ABOUT THE BOOK:

The Netgalley Historical Fiction Book of the Year 2025!!

Every book tells a story. Every heart hides a secret.

‘What’s not to love?! Nineteenth century York, bookshops and brilliant characters!‘ ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

In the shadowy aisles of the Lamplighter’s Bookshop, secrets lie as thick as the dust…

When Evelyn Seaton answers an advertisement for an assistant at a forgotten bookshop in York, she is not the only one with something to hide.

There she meets the enigmatic and prickly William Morton, an aspiring writer keeping secrets of his own. But when the walls that Evelyn has built around herself start to crumble, there is only one person she can turn to.

As the layers are brushed away, can Evelyn and William find the courage to write the next chapter of their story?

BUY hERE

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MY REVIEW:

Atmospheric, delightful, romantic and compelling, The Lamplighter’s Bookshop is a truly gorgeous debut. And that ending! My heart has still not recovered. I can see why this was voted as historical fiction book of the year on Netgalley last year.

The story follows Evelyn Seaton, who is at home with her mother, Cecilia, when the police arrive one evening and tell them that they must leave their home. Her father has gambled away everything they have and they are there to seize it all. So they go to York to stay with the only family member they have, Cecelia’s Aunt Clara. With nothing to their name, Evelyn decides she must go against her mother’s wishes and get a job, answering an advertisement for an assistant at a forgotten bookshop. It is in this shadowy bookshop that she meets William Morton, a mysterious and prickly aspiring writer who, like Evelyn, is keeping secrets to protect himself. The pair try to deny their attraction, but when Evelyn’s life begins to fall apart all over again, William is the only one she can turn to. Can they find the courage to give into their true feelings?

Sophie Austin reveals herself as a writer to watch with this magnificent debut. Her storytelling and imagery is so evocative, bringing the world and characters she’s created to life so vividly that it felt like I was walking the cobbled streets of nineteenth century York, wandering the shadowy aisles of the bookshop, and living every moment alongside the characters, who are ebullient and memorable. A story about love, secrets and betrayal, Ms. Austin keeps her reader guessing what secrets most of the characters are hiding. I was on tenterhooks trying to guess what they were hiding and wondered what would happen when they were finally truthful with each other and their secrets were revealed. 

Evelyn is a fantastic protagonist. Not only is she likeable and easy to root for, she’s feisty, intelligent, resourceful, determined and fiercely independent. I was rooting for her from the start as she tried to navigate this scary new reality she’d been thrust into whilst also trying to deal with the heartache of her father’s betrayal. Evelyn also comes up against societal expectations from her mother and others that get in her way, but she finds ways to overcome them at every step, intent on making life better for herself and her mother.  Another character I really enjoyed was Aunt Clara. She was snarky, sharp and witty, lighting up the pages in every scene while also offering sage advice to Evelyn and Cecilia. 

As this is a romance, I obviously need to talk about our potential lovebirds. I’m a sucker for an enemies to lovers trope, which was masterfully executed by Ms. Austin. There’s an immediate spark between Evelyn and William but they try to deny it and spend their time disagreeing instead. I loved this quarrelsome pair and their verbal sparring. Their will they/won’t they aspect of their relationship created tension and gave me something to root for. Plus, I knew the pay off would be amazing if they did finally give into their feelings. Something I also liked was what a great character William was in himself. He’s enigmatic, complicated and flawed, and I was as desperate to work him out as Evelyn, keeping me rooted to my chair and turning the pages.

A heartwarming and wonderful debut, I can’t wait to see what’s next from Ms. Austin.

Rating: ✮✮✮✮✮

Thank you Harper Collins for sending me a proof copy of this book in exchange for my honest review.

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ABOUT THE AUTHOR:

Originally from London, Sophie Austin is a historical fiction novelist who now lives in Sweden. Her debut novel, THE LAMPLIGHTER’S BOOKSHOP (coming March 2025) is a turn of the century tale of rivalry, redemption, and love set under the darkening skies of York in 1899. Sophie loves spending time in Victorian England, both in her writing and in her reading, and you can step back in time with her via her website or her Instagram page. When Sophie isn’t writing historical fiction she works as a Senior Creative Writer for a blocky video game writing articles, scripts and more about mining, crafting and surviving

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Thanks for reading, Bibliophiles xxxx

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Audio Books book reviews Emma's Anticipated Treasures Most Anticipated 2026

SQUADPOD FEATURED BOOK: Witch Trial by Harriet Tyce

Published February 26th, 2026 by Wildfire
Thriller, Legal Thriller, Supernatural Fiction

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ABOUT THE BOOK:

TWO TEENAGE GIRLS. ONE MURDERED CLASSMATE.
AND A MODERN-DAY WITCH TRIAL THAT WILL DIVIDE THE NATION . . .

‘Mind-bending and brilliant’ LISA JEWELL
‘Deliciously twisted. . . Genius’ CLAIRE DOUGLAS
‘An utter masterpiece’ SOPHIE HANNAH
‘Impeccable plotting’ FINANCIAL TIMES
_______________________________

When 18-year-old Christian Shaw is found dead in an Edinburgh park, the city reels – and the shock only deepens when police charge her best friends, Eliza Lawson and Isobel Smyth, with her murder.

As their trial begins and headlines scream for justice, rumours of bullying spiral into something darker: whispers of rituals, obsession, and a teenage pact gone wrong.

But then the girls take the stand – revealing a chilling defence no one saw coming – and the jury must question everything: the motives, the evidence, even their own judgement.

Who’s telling the truth? Who can be trusted?
And what really happened to Christian Shaw?

Let the Witch Trial begin . . .

BUY HERE

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MY REIVEW:

Schoolgirls Eliza Lawson and Isobel Smyth are accused of murdering their friend Christian Shaw. This book follows their trial. But it isn’t told through the eyes of the accused, their lawyers or even the victim’s loved ones. This story is primarily told by a juror, heart surgeon Matthew Phillips, who sees the trial as the perfect chance to escape from his troubled life. But he becomes increasingly obsessed with the case and begins to unravel, making us question if we can really believe what he’s telling us. Add in the connections to witchcraft and the historic witch trials, and you’ve got an addictive and heart-pounding thriller that will keep you on the edge of your seat from start to finish.

From its dark and intriguing prologue to one of the best endings I’ve ever read, Witch Trial had me completely hooked. With her exquisite prose, clever plotting and stunning revelations, Harriet Tyce held me in her thrall. I love it when a book takes you in a different direction than you were expecting, and Harriet did that time and again with this story. I enjoyed the glimpse into what it is like to be a juror in a trial and some of my favourite parts of the book were the scenes between the jurors when they are alone together or trying to navigate the legalities of being a juror when they go against their personal instincts or needs. I also liked that we were never given any information that they didn’t know, putting us in Matthew’s shoes and making us question everything the way he did. 

I love a thriller that keeps you guessing so I loved how although we know the identity of the accused killers they remain elusive and we only have the same evidence as the jurors to decide if they are guilty, raising the suspense and keeping me on tenterhooks. I also loved the supernatural element that is intricately woven into the story. Eliza and Isobel are accused of practicing witchcraft and there are references and parallels with the historic witch trials that took place in Edinburgh, the city the book is set in. These elements helped to create the dark atmosphere and sense of danger that permeated the story. It also made us question not only the sanity of the accused, but also of Matthew, as he’s drawn deeper into the occult as the case goes on.  But the part that elevated this book from great to sensational was that surprise triple twist ending that Harriet pulls off with such finesse. It is truly one of my favourite endings of all time and changed how I perceived the entire story. Well played, Ms. Tyce.

An outstanding thriller that will have your heart racing and mind whirling, add this to your TBR now! 

Rating: ✮✮✮✮.5

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

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ABOUT THE AUTHOR:

Harriet Tyce was born and grew up in Edinburgh. She graduated in English from Oxford University in 1994, and after gaining legal qualifications worked as a criminal barrister for nearly ten years. After leaving the law she started writing, gaining a distinction in an MA in Creative Writing (Crime Fiction) from the University of East Anglia in 2017.

Harriet has written four novels, Blood Orange, The Lies You Told, It Ends At Midnight and A Lesson in Cruelty. She lives in north London with her husband, children, and two dogs.

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Thanks for reaidng, Bibliophiles xxxx

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Audio Books book reviews Emma's Anticipated Treasures

AUDIOBOOK REVIEW: The House Saphir by Marissa Meyer

Published November 6th, 2025 by Faber & Faber
Mystery, Paranormal Fiction, Myths, Young Adult Fiction

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ABOUT THE BOOK:

The ghost of Bluebeard. A handsome count. A con artist in over her head.

Mallory Fontaine is a fraud. She’s descended from witches, and pretends to be one, although her only magic is the ability to see ghosts. She can barely make a living – but Count Armand Saphir will pay a fortune if she can rid him of his murderous ancestor’s ghost.

Now death has returned to the House Saphir, and Mallory is almost certain the killer is mortal. To have any hope of Armand’s payment, she’ll need to solve the murder, banish the ghost and keep passing as a witch.

Still, that’s easy compared to her biggest challenge: trusting her heart. Especially when her heart’s desire could be the murderer himself.

buy here

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MY REVIEW:

Mallory Fontaine is a fraud. Though she descends from witches, she doesn’t have powers, although she pretends she does. The only thing she can do is see ghosts. And that isn’t going to help her make a living. Until Count Armand Saphir learns of her ability and offers to pay her a fortune if she can rid his house of the ghost of his murderous ancestor, Count Bastien Saphir. But as Mallory tries to rid House Saphir of Bastien’s ghost, death returns. And Mallory is almost certain the killer is mortal. Now, in order to receive the money she was promised, Mallory must solve the murder as well as banishing the ghost and keeping up the pretence that she is a witch. And there is another complication: Mallory is falling for Armand.

Gothic, dark, suspenseful and forbidding, The House Saphir is an alluring cocktail of ghosts, witches, folklore, love and murder. Marissa Meyer is a name I’ve heard, but I was intrigued by the idea of a romantasy that is merged with traditional French folklore. And who could resist those gorgeous spredges? Evocatively written, meticulously researched, cleverly choreographed and filled with dark humour, Meyer held me in her thrall from start to finish. Before I read this book I only vaguely knew of Bluebeard, a nobleman who murdered his wives. Meyer brought his story to life in vivid technicolour, making this malevolent character feel utterly real and terrifying even though he is a spectre. His ominous presence looms over every page, as even the Ghost Wives are terrified of encountering him again.

Sassy, sarcastic, likeable and easy to root for, Mallory is a great protagonist, even if she isn’t always truthful. Charming, wealthy and mysterious, Armand is a compelling character and love interest. I was suspicious of his motives from the start but could see how Mallory began to fall for his allure. But would this turn out to be a mistake? I couldn’t decide and was on tenterhooks as I waited to discover the truth. But by far my favourite characters were the mischievous Ghost Wives – the Count’s victims who now also haunt House Saphir. They were so fun to read while also inspiring real fear at the thought of coming into contact with their murderer once more.

An entertaining retelling that will have you hooked, I highly recommend this book.

Rating: ✮✮✮✮✰

Thank you to Libro.fm for providing me with a complimentary audiobook in exchange for my honest review.

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ABOUT THE AUTHOR:

Marissa Meyer is the #1 New York Times-bestselling author of The Lunar Chronicles, Heartless, The Renegades Trilogy, and Instant Karma, as well as the graphic novel duology Wires and Nerve. She holds a BA in Creative Writing from Pacific Lutheran University and a MA in Publishing from Pace University. In addition to writing, Marissa hosts The Happy Writer podcast. She lives near Tacoma, Washington, with her husband and twin daughters.

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Thanks for reading, Bibliophiles xxxx

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Audio Books Beat the Backlist book reviews

AUDIOBOOK REVIEW: The House We Grew Up In by Lisa Jewell

Published July 18th, 2013 by Cornerstone
Suspense, Domestic Fiction, Thriller, Psychological Thriller, Mystery

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ABOUT THE BOOK:

An unforgettable story about a family with a terrible secret. From the #1 bestselling author of The Family Upstairs and None of This is True comes a new edition of The House We Grew Up In, with a brand new introduction from Lisa Jewell!

‘Unputdownable’ RED
‘Simply stunning’ Daily Mail
‘Fantastically gripping’ HELLO!
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When a tragedy breaks a family apart, what can bring it back together?

The Birds seem to be the perfect family: mother, father, four children, a charming cottage in the country.

But one Easter weekend, something happens – something so unexpected, so devastating, that no one can bring themselves to talk about it.

The family shatters, seemingly for good.

Until, years later, they are forced to return to the house they grew up in, and to confront what really broke the family apart . . .

BUY HERE

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MY REVIEW:

One of my 2026 goals is to read more of my TBR. Specifically, the backlist books by authors that have languished on my shelves for far too long. Lisa Jewell is one of my favourite thriller authors, but I’m ashamed to say I didn’t start reading her books until 2019, which means I have her huge backlist of books still to enjoy. So, when I was looking for a mood read I decided it was time to dive into that backlist, and finally read The House We Grew Up In.

The Birds seem like the perfect family: mum, dad, four children and a charming country cottage. But all of that changes one Easter weekend when tragedy strikes. And instead of coming together, it fractures them completely; each family member retreating into their own, private grief and torment over what happened. Now, the family is being forced back together for the first time in years after the death of matriarch Lorelei, and must confront the tragedy that tore them apart.

My heart is totally destroyed after this book. Compelling, tense and twisty, I was not prepared for the heartrending emotion that is woven into this story. I expected a fast-paced thriller and heart-stopping twists, but instead Lisa delivers a steadily paced, moving story where the twists are teased out slowly. It is expertly written, cleverly plotted and perfectly paced, moving seamlessly between dual timelines with extracts  from emails from Lorelei and her online sweetheart, Jim, peppered throughout. I was on tenterhooks from start to finish, eager to discover whatever dark secrets this family held.

So, let’s talk about the Birds. This is a very character-driven story so having captivating and richly drawn characters is vital. Obviously, we know Lisa writes fantastic characters, but her talent for writing characters really shines in this book. We get to know each member of the Bird family in detail over the course of the book, all of their imperfections and fears exposed as we peel away the fractured layers of this family. They are all complex, flawed, real. Lorelei isn’t your typical matriarch. She loves her children and being a mother, but she’s also very quirky. And after the tragedy she spirals, her ‘quirks’ of keeping objects because she feels they have sentimental value becoming a full-blown hoarding disorder that ends up with her house being uninhabitable. Each member of the family deals with both the tragedy and Lorelei in their own way, but it is eldest daughter, Megan, who challenges it most and I really felt for her. She was probably my favourite character and my heart hurt for all that she went through. 

A must-read for your TBR.

Rating: ✮✮✮✮✰

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ABOUT THE AUTHOR:

Lisa Jewell was born in London in 1968.

Her first novel, Ralph’s Party, was the best- selling debut novel of 1999. Since then she has written another twenty novels, most recently a number of dark psychological thrillers, including The Girls, Then She Was Gone, The Family Upstairs, The Family Remains and The Night She Disappeared, all of which were Richard & Judy Book Club picks.

Lisa is a New York Times and Sunday Times number one bestselling author who has been published worldwide in over thirty languages. She lives in north London with her husband and two daughters.

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Thanks for reading, Bibliophiles xxxx

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Audio Books book reviews Emma's Anticipated Treasures Most Anticipated 2026 Squadpod Squadpod Book Club Squadpod Featured Books

SQUADPOD FEATURED BOOK REVIEW: My Husband’s Wife by Alice Feeney

Published January 27th, 2026 by Pan Macmillan
Thriller, Psychological Thriller, Suspense

My Husband’s Wife was one of our SquadPod Featured Books in February.

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ABOUT THE BOOK:

The Sunday Times bestselling author of Beautiful Ugly is back with a psychological masterpiece that will leave you questioning everything you know about love, identity and revenge.

Eden Fox, an artist on the brink of her big break, sets off for a run before her first exhibition. When she returns to the home she recently moved into – Spyglass, an enchanting old house in the pretty seaside village of Hope Falls – nothing is as it should be. Her key doesn’t fit. A woman, eerily similar to her, answers the door. And her husband insists that this stranger is his wife.

One house. One husband. Two women. Someone is lying.

Six months earlier, a reclusive Londoner named Birdy, reeling from a life-changing diagnosis, inherits Spyglass. This unexpected gift from a long-lost grandmother brings her to Hope Falls. But then Birdy stumbles upon a shadowy London clinic that claims to be able to predict a person’s date of death, including her own. Secrets start to unravel and, as the line between truth and lies blurs, Birdy feels compelled to right some old wrongs.

My Husband’s Wife weaves a tangled web of deception, obsession and mystery that will keep you guessing until the last page. Prepare yourself for the ultimate mind-bending marriage thriller and step inside Spyglass – if you dare – to experience a story where nothing is as it seems.

buy here

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MY REVIEW:

Alice Feeney has done it again! Heartsoppingly tense, unsettling, cryptic and immersive, My Husband’s Wife is an outstanding thriller and possibly her best book yet. 

It follows Eden Fox, who has recently moved to Spyglass, an enhancing old house in Hope Falls, Cornwall, with her husband, Harrison Woolf. They are hoping their move will be the fresh start they both need and it seems like life is starting to look up. But when she returns after her usual evening run nothing is as it should be. Her key doesn’t work and a woman who is eerily similar to her answers the door saying she lives there. Harrison insists the stranger is his wife and claims to have never seen Eden before. Eden desperately tries to prove her identity, sparking a chain of events that uncover long-buried secrets, deception and betrayal.

I always know when I pick up one of Alice’s books that I’m in for a treat. A thriller powerhouse, I know I’ll get an exquisitely written, twisty, layered and pacy thriller that will keep me on the edge of my seat. This was all that and more. It’s like Spaghetti Junction – the different storylines and threads interweave in unexpected ways, and it’s brimming with suspense, twists and turns. The narrative is told from multiple perspectives and moves seamlessly between timelines as Alice drops clues like breadcrumbs for us to follow. But nothing is what it seems in this book and everyone is possibly an unreliable narrator – keeping me on the edge of my seat from start to finish. And that final line! I can’t get it out of my head.

One of the things that Alice always does well is writing charismatic, flawed and relatable characters who are fun to read whether we like them or not. The abundance of unreliable narrators means there are no clear heroes or villains, ramping up the tension and making me second guess everything they said and did. My favourite character was Birdy, a reclusive woman from London who returns to Hope Falls following life-changing diagnosis and unexpected inheritance. Birdy was the comedic relief in the book and although we know there are things she’s hiding, I did feel like I could trust her more than a lot of the other characters.

A must read for anyone who loves clever and riveting thrillers.

Rating: ✮✮✮✮✮

Thanks to Pan Macmillan and Bookbreak for sending me a proof copy of the book and to Libro.fm for providing me with a complimentary audiobook in exchange for my honest review.

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ABOUT THE AUTHOR:

Alice Feeney is a New York Times million-copy bestselling author of novels including His & Hers, Sometimes I Lie, Rock Paper Scissors and Daisy Darker. Her books have been translated into over thirty-five languages, and have been optioned for major screen adaptations, with His & Hers currently in production for Netflix, produced by Jessica Chastain, and starring Tessa Thompson and Jon Bernthal.

Alice was a BBC journalist for fifteen years. Her seventh novel, Beautiful Ugly, will be published around the world in January 2025.

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Thanks for reading, Bibliophiles xxxx

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

BOOK REVIEW: River Sing Me Home by Eleanor Shearer

Published January 19th, 2023 by Headline
Historical Fiction

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ABOUT THE BOOK:

Inspired by true historical events in the Caribbean, River Sing Me Home will break your heart and then lift you up. A soaring story of courage and sacrifice, this novel reminds us of the remarkable strength of hope. A Good Morning America Book Club Pick. Soon to be adapted as a feature film by AL Films and BBC Film.

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Rachel is searching for her children. For Mary Grace, Micah, Thomas Augustus, Cherry Jane and Mercy. These are the five who were sold to other plantations; the faces she cannot forget. It is 1834, and the law says her people are now free. But for Rachel freedom means finding her children.

With fear snapping at her heels, Rachel keeps moving. From sunrise to sunset, through the cane fields of Barbados to the forests of British Guiana, then on to Trinidad, up the dangerous river and to the open sea. Only once she knows their stories can she rest. Only then can she finally find home…

BUY HERE

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MY REVIEW:

Barbados, August 1834. Slavery has been abolished and they are now free. But what does freedom really mean for those who have been forced to work the plantations? Rachel is finding her emancipation is a hollow freedom that actually comes with new chains. It’s a new name for the same life she’s always been forced to live. But she wants more. She wants to be reunited with the children that were taken from her and scattered to far-off places. So, she runs. And what follows is a journey across land and sea. A journey in search of the liberty that the Emancipation Act promises. In search of family. But what will it take for Rachel to find it?

Hauntingly beautiful, raw, powerful and poignant, River Sing Me Home is an extraordinary story based on true historical events. Exquisitely written, evocatively told and filled with richly drawn characters who feel as real as the person sitting next to you, debut author Eleanor Shearer paints a captivating picture of survival, freedom, motherhood and found family that  you won’t forget. She makes you live every moment alongside Rachel and feel her every emotion. It’s searing, moving, action-packed and made for the screen, which is why I’m thrilled to hear there is an adaptation in the works.

Rachel is a strong and formidable woman. She has endured so much heartbreak and trauma but manages to not have been made bitter. She is a natural and fierce mother, showing maternal love to those she hasn’t given birth to whilst also searching for the children ripped from her. As a mother myself I can’t imagine the pain of having your children taken from you and not knowing if they are alive or dead. I was rooting for Rachel at every step, rejoicing in her success and crying at her losses. The other characters are just as well written and there were some really touching relationships between the characters that I loved reading, especially Mary Grace and Nobody.

Warm, hopeful, immersive and affecting, this is a must-read for anyone who enjoys historical fiction.

Rating: ✮✮✮✮.5

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

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ABOUT THE AUTHOR:

Eleanor Shearer is a mixed-race writer and the granddaughter of Windrush generation immigrants. She splits her time between London and Ramsgate on the English coast so that she never has to go too long without seeing the sea. For her Master’s degree in Politics at the University of Oxford, Eleanor studied the legacy of slavery and the case for reparations, and her fieldwork in St. Lucia and Barbados helped inspire her first novel, RIVER SING ME HOME.

Eleanor is currently working on her second novel, as well as the screenplay for the film adaptation of RIVER SING ME HOME with AL Films and BBC Film.

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Thanks for reading, Bibliophiles xxxx

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Audio Books book reviews

BOOK REVIEW: In Cold Blood by Truman Capote

Published 1966
True Crime

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ABOUT THE BOOK:

The chilling true crime ‘non-fiction novel’ that made Truman Capote’s name, In Cold Blood is a seminal work of modern prose, a remarkable synthesis of journalistic skill and powerfully evocative narrative.

Controversial and compelling, In Cold Blood reconstructs the murder in 1959 of a Kansas farmer, his wife and both their children. Truman Capote’s comprehensive study of the killings and subsequent investigation explores the circumstances surrounding this terrible crime and the effect it had on those involved. At the centre of his study are the amoral young killers Perry Smith and Dick Hickcock, who, vividly drawn by Capote, are shown to be reprehensible yet entirely and frighteningly human.

BUY HERE

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MY REVIEW:

On November 14th, 1959 in the small rural community of Holcomb, Kansas, the American dream became the American nightmare when the popular Clutter family were brutally slaughtered in their home. Their murder sent shockwaves not only through their small town, but the entire country, catching the attention of author Truman Capote, who had been looking for a real story to write in novel form. The result was In Cold Blood, which is considered the first modern True Crime book. 

It is an unimaginable crime. Four members of one family – Herb, Bonnie and their children Nancy and Kenyon – were coldly and methodically murdered in their home by two strangers: Perry Smith and Richard Hickock for less than $50, a pair of binoculars and a small radio. It was a senseless crime in a place so safe nobody locked their doors at night and changed the town forever. It is a truly haunting case. I first read the book during my A Levels and it has never left me. I had always been interested in true crime but this was the first full-length book I’d read in the genre and sparked a life-long interest for me. I have re-read it a few times but decided to pick it up again this week when looking for a mood read.

Heartbreaking and harrowing, this is a powerful story. Truman Capote’s decision to juxtapose the lives of the Clutters with that of their killers is a huge part of the book’s strength, building tension, horror, anger and disbelief as we move between the different perspectives. It begins the night before the murders, showing the Clutters going about their normal lives completely unaware of the fate awaiting them, and then moves to show the killers preparing for the crime. In the aftermath, Capote explores the investigation, the perspectives of those who knew the Clutters, the other residents of Holcomb, the killers and people who knew them. It is evocative, raw and deeply human. However, I do think that Capote should have written more about the Clutters and focused the story more on them than on their killers, but overall I think he does a great job at weaving together the many threads to this tragedy and I don’t think the controversies that surround this book take away from its impact.

I am so glad that I re-read this and it remains my favourite true crime book to date. I won’t be giving it a star rating, but I do highly recommend reading this one.

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ABOUT THE AUTHOR:

Truman Capote (1924-84) was born in New Orleans. He left school when he was fifteen and subsequently worked for The New Yorker, which provided his first – and last – regular job. He wrote both fiction and non-fiction – short stories, novels and novellas, travel writing, profiles, reportage, memoirs, plays and films; his other works include In Cold Blood (1965), Music for Chameleons (1980) and Answered Prayers (1986).

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Audio Books book reviews Emma's Anticipated Treasures Most Anticipated 2026

BOOK REVIEW: Meet the Newmans by Jennifer Niven

Published January 15th, 2026 by Pan Macmillan
Historical Fiction, Domestic Fiction, Gay Fiction, Literary Fiction

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ABOUT THE BOOK:

You’ve seen the show. Now meet the woman behind the scenes . . .

From No. 1 Sunday Times bestselling author Jennifer Niven, a novel about America’s favorite TV family, whose perfect façade starts to crack, for fans of Lessons in Chemistry and The Seven Husbands of Evelyn Hugo.

Los Angeles, 1964.

For two decades, Del and Dinah Newman and their sons, Guy and Shep, have ruled television as America’s Favourite Family. Millions of viewers tune in every week to watch them play flawless, black-and-white versions of themselves. But now the Sixties are in full swing, and the Newmans’ perfection suddenly feels woefully out of touch.

Ratings are in free fall, as are the Newmans themselves. Del is keeping an explosive secret from his wife, and Dinah is slowly going numb. Steady, stable Guy is hiding the truth about his love life, and rock ‘n’ roll idol Shep may finally be in real trouble.

When Del is in a mysterious car accident, Dinah decides to take matters into her own hands. She hires Juliet Dunne, an outspoken young reporter, to help her write the final episode. But Dinah and Juliet have wildly different perspectives about what it means to be a woman, and a family, in 1964 America.

Can Dinah Newman bring her family together to change television history?

Or will she be cancelled before she ever had the chance?

Maybe it’s time for perfection to fall out of style . . .

BUY HERE

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MY REVIEW:

Los Angeles, 1964, a time when the States is still reeling from the death of JFK, in the midst of the fight for Civil Rights, and being gripped by Beatlemania, there is a family they can always rely on to be perfect and make the world feel right for half an hour each week. It’s time to Meet the Newmans.

Nostalgic, moving, powerful and addictive, I couldn’t get enough of this charming and stirring story. It follows the Newmans, a real family who have played idealised versions of themselves on TV for the last twelve years. They are America’s favourite family. But behind the perfect facade, cracks have appeared and not all is what it seems. When patriarch Del is in a car accident, his wife, Dinah, must take the reins to ensure that their season finale goes ahead. She hires journalist Juliet Dunn but the two soon clash over what it means to be a woman in 1960s America. Truths are slowly revealed and we wonder if the Newmans will survive the fallout and pull off one last show. 

Jennifer Niven’s writing is vibrant and achingly human, the story is cleverly choreographed and filled with an eclectic cast of dynamic and memorable characters. I loved the nostalgic vibe that permeates every page, making me feel like I’d been transported back to 1960s America. But while the story is a sheer delight, it is also a sobering reminder of how different life was in the 60s, exploring some heavy and emotional topics including the Civil Rights Movement, LGBTQ rights, sexism, female rage, female empowerment and reproductive rights. The world may be a mess right now, but at least in most of the world we have the right to love whoever we want and women have the right to simple things like a bank account and contraception. 

Told from different perspectives, the characters felt authentic and believable, immersing me in every facet of their lives as they slowly unraveled. But all that glitters isn’t gold, and through the Newmans Niven examines the darker side of fame, showing us that perfection isn’t real and reminding us that even those who seem to have it all are going through things behind closed doors. I particularly enjoyed reading Dinah, Juliet and Guy, and loved watching and Dinah and Juliet learned so much from one another.

A thought-provoking and affirming read that will simultaneously lift your spirits and outrage you, Meet The Newmans is a must-read. Perfect for anyone who enjoyed Lessons in Chemistry.

Rating: ✮✮✮✮.5

Thank you to Bookbeat and llbro.fm for my early copies of the book in exchange for my honest review.

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ABOUT THE AUTHOR:

Jennifer Niven is the #1 New York Times and internationally bestselling author of All the Bright Places, Holding Up the Universe and Breathless. Her books have been translated in over 75 languages and have won literary awards around the world. An Emmy-award winning screenwriter, she co-wrote the script for the All the Bright Places movie— currently streaming on Netflix and starring Elle Fanning and Justice Smith. She is also the author of several narrative nonfiction titles and the Velva Jean historical fiction series. Jennifer divides her time between coastal Georgia and Los Angeles with her husband and literary cats.

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BOOK REVIEW: The Twelve Days of Christmas by Susan Stokes-Chapman

Published September 25th, 2025 by Harvill Secker
Historical Fiction, Romance Novel, Holiday Fiction, Festive Fiction, Christmas Story

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ABOUT THE BOOK:

A beautiful collection of seasonal stories inspired by the classic Christmas carol, from the Sunday Times No. 1 Bestselling Author

‘Uplifting, poignant and astutely observed, this felt like being whirled away into a Regency ball’ Naomi Kelsey

As the Viscount’s famous Twelfth Night Ball draws closer, many of the villagers of Merrywake have a story to tell – we meet a lovelorn vicar and kindly maid reunited after a misunderstanding, three sisters vying for the hand of a dastardly duke, two servants hiding a dangerous secret and a solider making his way home, unsure of the welcome he might receive. As their tales braid together, we see life and love in the village from belowstairs to high society.

Reimagining each of the traditional carol’s gifts, The Twelve Days of Christmas is a collection of festive tales filled with seasonal cheer and heart-warming characters. Will the challenges and mysteries that the Viscount’s guests encounter be resolved by the night of the ball?

buy here

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MY REVIEW:

In the run up to Christmas I’ve been all about the festive reads. And in the final few days of the countdown I decided to immerse myself in the gorgeous, heartwarming and enthralling, The Twelve Days of Christmas by Susan Stokes-Chapman.

This book is a collection of seasonal stories that reimagine each of the gifts in the eponymous traditional carol as a Christmassy tale based on a delightful and compelling cast of characters that includes a Viscount and Viscountess, their children, friends and staff. There are weddings, a ball, a lovelorn vicar and kindly maid who are reunited years after a misunderstanding tore them apart, a child found in the woods who won’t tell anyone her name, a trio of sisters who are competing to marry a handsome but dastardly duke, a grieving father, and a soldier making his way home after way. It is an inspired choice that Ms. Stokes-Chapman pulls off with finesse, intricately weaving together each of the stories to create a picture of a merry Regency Christmas in an English village. I loved all of the characters and stories, but especially enjoyed Staves three and five. 

Exquisitely written, atmospheric, poignant and joyful, this was the perfect book to get me into the Christmas spirit and would be a great gift to find under the tree. Highly recommended.

Rating: 🦢🦢🦢🦢🦢#

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ABOUT THE AUTHOR:

Susan Stokes-Chapman is a bestselling author of historical fiction, known for writing specifically in the Georgian era and marrying meticulous research with rich lyrical prose, often with a Gothic bent.

Her debut novel Pandora was an instant #1 Sunday Times bestseller and has been translated into 16 languages. A loose reinterpretation of the Greek myth Pandora’s Box set in eighteenth-century London, it tells the story of aspiring jewellery artist Dora Blake and her encounter with an ancient vase that her tyrannical uncle is desperately keen to keep secret. Her second novel The Shadow Key – a Gothic tale set against the mysterious Welsh landscape of 1783 – was released in April 2024. A short story collection in the vein of Jane Austen and Georgette Heyer was published in September 2025 with a third and fourth novel, The Constellations and The Moth Farm, to follow.

Born in 1985, Susan grew up in the historic city of Lichfield before moving on to study in the coastal town of Aberystwyth, where she graduated with a BA in Education & English Literature and an MA in Creative Writing. She is a SoA Cymru Committee member and lives on the Cambrian Coast in Wales, UK.

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