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Blog Tours book reviews Emma's Anticipated Treasures

Blog Tour: No Body No Crime by Tess Sharpe

Published August 14th by Dead Ink
Thriller, Suspense, Romance Novel, Lesbian Literature

Today is my stop on the blog tour for this additctive cat-and-mouse survival thriller. Thank you to FMcM for the invitation to take part, and to Dead Ink for sending me a copy of the book in exchange for my honest review.

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ABOUT THE BOOK:

From the bestselling author Tess Sharpe comes a new action packed, love-soaked thriller about two women whose lives—and hearts—are destined for each other.

Murder either bonds you or breaks you. Rural PI Mel Tillman knows this well. She’s seen her fair share of bloody cases and botched cover-ups. But killing with someone? That is a different kind of mess all together, and Mel’s got real experience with it.

No one’s heard from Toby Dunne since Chloe Harper’s sweet sixteen party—because the birthday girl and sixteen-year-old Mel buried him so deep in the backwoods, no one’s ever finding him. Mel loses little sleep over it—Toby had been terrorizing them. What she does lose sleep over is Chloe, the girl with whom she survived that horrible night in the woods. Chloe, the girl she fell in love with. Chloe, the girl who disappeared and hasn’t been seen in more than six years.

Tasked with locating Chloe by her family, Mel can’t resist the call of a good chase, or finding the one who got away with her heart (and with murder). When Mel finds an armed and vigilant Chloe living off-grid in a highly booby-trapped patch of Canadian wilderness, she realizes that Chloe had been expecting someone other than her ex to come looking for her. The thing that’s kept Chloe going for years is that she’s kept Mel safe by running. Now, the truth must come out as they run for their lives once again.

Because when they buried Toby Dunne in the backwoods, they buried something else, too. Something Toby took. And the powerful family he stole it from? They’ll do anything to get it back.

Twisty and razor-sharp, Tess Sharpe’s No Body No Crime is a heart-pounding thriller teeming with secrets, betrayals, and a star-crossed romance for the ages.

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MY REVIEW:

“That’s what happens when you survive with someone. 
That’s what happens when you kill with someone.”

Since the night of Chloe’s sweet sixteenth, she and Mel have been bonded by a secret. For two years that secret, and their blossoming romance, kept them close, only for Chloe to disappear just as their life together was about to start. Mel has been searching for her ever since. So, when the now-PI is hired by Chloe’s family to track her down, she can’t resist the chance and finally finds her living off-grid in a place riddled with booby traps. Clearly Chloe was expecting someone other than her former girlfriend to come looking for her. Who is Chloe so scared of? Could someone know what happened that night in the woods?

Action-packed, sinister and suspenseful, No Body No Crime is an addictive cat-and-mouse survival thriller full of star-crossed lovers, secrets, murder and betrayal. It packs a punch from the first page, opening with the aftermath of a plane crash and someone’s attempts to apprehend Mel and Chloe. And there isn’t just one mystery for us to unravel in this book. There are many. What exactly happened that night in the woods? Why did Chloe disappear? Who is after her? And why did the plane crash? 

This was my first time reading a book by Tess Sharpe, but it won’t be my last. Expertly written, skillfully plotted and full of complex and vivid characters, this is one of those books you can’t stop thinking about even when you’re not reading. It’s fast-paced, astute, chaotic, imbued with heart-stopping twists and shocking revelations, and has an irresistible love story woven in that I couldn’t help but root for. The story moves between timelines and narrators, keeping the reader guessing and on the edge of their seats. And Sharpe creates a strong sense of tension and foreboding throughout which she heightens by counting down to the significant events in each timeline. But when the full picture is finally revealed it isn’t over as Sharpe creates yet more mysteries that keep us glued to the pages. And that finale! Absolutely crazy but so good. 

A moreish, entertaining and twist-laiden mystery that gives me Yellowjackets vibes, this is a must for your TBR.

Rating: ✮✮✮✮✰

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ABOUT THE AUTHOR:

Born in a mountain cabin to a punk rocker mother, Tess Sharpe grew up in rural California. She is the author of bestselling and award-winning fiction for kids, teens and adults. She lives deep in the backwoods with a pack of dogs and a growing cabal of slightly feral cats.

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BUY THE BOOK:

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

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Thanks for reading, Bibliophiles xxxx

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

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Blog Tours book reviews Emma's Anticipated Treasures

BLOG TOUR: The House at Devil’s Neck by Tom Mead

Published August 14th, 2025 by Head of Zeus
Mystery, Historical Mystery, Crime Series, Ghost Horror

Today is my stop on the blog tour for this entertaining locked-room mystery. Thank you to Head of Zeus for the invitation to take part and for sending me a copy of the book in exchange for my honest review.

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ABOUT THE BOOK:

LIKE LOCKED-ROOM MYSTERIES? YOU’LL LOVE TOM MEAD’S JOSEPH SPECTOR SERIES!

This gripping locked-room mystery sees Joseph Spector investigate his most sinister case yet: murderous machinations at a haunted manor house.

A former First World War field hospital, the spooky old mansion at Devil’s Neck attracts spirit-seekers from far and wide.

Illusionist-turned-sleuth Joseph Spector knows the house of old. With stories spreading of a phantom soldier making mischief, he joins a party of visitors in search of the truth.

But the house, located on a lonely causeway, is quickly cut off by floods. The stranded visitors are soon being killed off one by one.

With old ally Inspector Flint working on a complex case that has links to Spector’s investigation, the two men must connect the dots before Devil’s Neck claims Spector himself as its next victim.

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MY REIVEW:

August, 1939. A mismatched group of people are on their way to spend the weekend at Devil’s Neck, a haunted house that was formerly a hospital for injured soldiers. Shortly after they arrive, medium Adaline La Motte holds a seance that seems to prove there’s a supernatural presence at the house. Some guests remain skeptical while others believe. As the summer storm rages outside and isolates the manor house and its guests, one of them is found dead in what illusionist-turned-sleuth Joseph Spector declares a murder. Is the killer amongst the group? Or is someone else hiding at the house? And will they survive the night?
Meanwhile, Inspector George Flint is investigating the apparent suicide of Rodney Edgecomb, the only suspect in a 25-year-old murder case. But Flint suspects there is more to this case than at first appears and finds evidence that Edgecomb was murdered. Flint’s investigation soon leads him to Devil’s Neck and links his case with Spector’s. But can he get to the house before it’s too late?

Clever, complex and captivating, The House at Devil’s Neck is a riveting Agatha Christie-esque locked room mystery. Well written, skillfully choreographed and intricately interwoven, Tom Mead had me in his thrall as he told the story over the course of one day and night. The book is filled with a large cast of colourful and captivating characters that leapt from the pages. Joseph Spector and George Flint were great protagonists. I loved that they work very differently, learning from one another to become better investigators. I loved that everyone was a suspect and that once again Mead has made it hard to predict the culprit. I got to enjoy the ride and be just as shocked as the characters at the twists and revelations and as Spector finally unmasked the villain.

But what I enjoyed most about this story was the haunted house element, a trope that Mead executes perfectly. It is eerily atmospheric from the start, the rain lashing down outside adds an air of foreboding that felt almost like an omen and a warning of what was to come. Then, when the group arrives at Devil’s Neck, they find a house that looks like a creature hulking in the darkness and has become an isolated island because of the flood. It’s a place ripe for supernatural goings on so it isn’t a surprise when strange things begin to happen. Add in a number of strange deaths and unexplained happenings and  you’ve got a story that will have you on the edge of your seat. 

Chilling tense and twisty, this entertaining read is perfect for anyone who likes their cosy mysteries with a dash of darkness. 

Rating: ✮✮✮✮✰

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ABOUT THE AUTHOR:

Tom Mead is an author, translator, and aficionado of Golden Age crime fiction. He is the creator of the Joseph Spector locked room mystery series, which has been translated into ten languages (and counting), and is soon to be adapted for the screen. His debut novel, Death and the Conjuror, was nominated for the Capital Crime Award for Debut Novel of the Year and the Historical Writers’ Association Debut Crown. It was also named one of the best mysteries of the year by The Guardian and Publishers Weekly. Its sequel, The Murder Wheel, was named one of the Best Traditional Mysteries of 2023 by Crimereads and the Daily Telegraph, as well as nominated for a Capital Crime Award and longlisted for the CWA Historical Dagger Award. His third novel, Cabaret Macabre was published in August 2024, along with a collection of short stories, The Indian Rope Trick and Other Violent Entertainments, in November 2024.

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BUY THE BOOK:

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

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Thanks for reading, Bibliophiles xxxx

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

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

BOOK REVIEW: Stone Blind by Natalie Haynes

Published September 15th, 2022 by Mantle
Greek Mythology, Historical Fiction, Fairy Tale, Fantasy

Today I’m sharing my review for this fierce feminist retelling. Thank you to Mantle for sending me a copy of the book in exchange for my honest review.

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ABOUT THE BOOK:

Longlisted for the Women’s Prize for Fiction 2023.

In Stone Blind, the instant Sunday Times bestseller, Natalie Haynes brings the infamous Medusa to life as you have never seen her before.

‘Witty, gripping, ruthless’ – Margaret Atwood via X (Twitter)

‘So to mortal men, we are monsters. Because of our flight, our strength. They fear us, so they call us monsters’

Medusa is the sole mortal in a family of gods. Growing up with her Gorgon sisters, she begins to realize that she is the only one who experiences change, the only one who can be hurt.

When Poseidon commits an unforgiveable act against Medusa in the temple of Athene, the goddess takes her revenge where she can: on his victim. Medusa is changed forever – writhing snakes for hair and her gaze now turns any living creature to stone. She can look at nothing without destroying it.

Desperate to protect her beloved sisters, Medusa condemns herself to a life of shadows. Until Perseus embarks upon a quest to fetch the head of a Gorgon . . .

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MY REVIEW:

“They will fear you and flee you and call you a monster, just like they do your sisters.”

Fierce, feminist, moving and addictive, Stone Blind is a powerful story full of humour, strength, empathy, heartbreak and righteous female rage. It tells the story of Medusa, offering you a new way to see the myths we think we know so well. And it tells us how a story can be warped and twisted until the truth is no longer recognisable.

Medusa is a myth I have long been fascinated with, and as a long-time fan of Natalie Haynes, I was excited to see her bring her and her story to life in a new way. Medusa is the original complicated protagonist, and I have a soft spot for those kinds of characters. Traditionally billed as the villain, this book finally exposes the truth of Medusa’s fate in all of its devastating and complicated glory. It’s unsettling and hard to read in places, but never gratuitous, exposing the so-called heroes for the villains they really are. And while it is billed as Medusa’s story, the snake-haired Gorgan is actually only a part of this tale. It is also a book about the bickering, jealous, selfish and vengeful gods and goddesses who are inextricably linked with Medusa and her tragic fate. 

“I feel like becoming the monster he made.”

The story itself is exquisitely written, richly layered and intricate. I listened to the audiobook, which is narrated by Haynes. Her narration is evocative and emotive, making the world around me disappear as the story came to life around me. It’s emotional, raw and heartbreaking, but also funny, insightful and passionate. Natalie’s meticulous research and extensive knowledge is evident throughout, making these ancient stories feel as relatable and resonant today as they were when first written. 

A magnificent retelling, I highly recommend this to anyone who likes Greek Mythology or stories about strong women.

Rating: ✮✮✮✮✰

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ABOUT THE AUTHOR:

Natalie Haynes is a writer and broadcaster and – according to the Washington Post – a rock star mythologist. Her first novel, The Amber Fury, was published to great acclaim on both sides of the Atlantic, as was The Ancient Guide to Modern Life, her previous book. Her second novel, The Children of Jocasta, was published in 2017. Her retelling of the Trojan War, A Thousand Ships, was published in 2019. It was shortlisted for the Women’s Prize for Fiction in 2020. It has been translated into more multiple languages than she can now remember. Her non-fiction book, Pandora’s Jar: Women in the Greek Myth was published in Oct 2020, and reached number 2 in the New York Times Bestseller chart. Her novel about Medusa, Stone Blind, was published in Sep 2022 and Margaret Atwood liked it.

Natalie has been speaking on the modern relevance of the classical world for the last fifteen years, on tours which have spanned many countries and three continents.

Natalie is a regular contributor to BBC Radio 4: ten series of her show, Natalie Haynes Stands Up for the Classics, have been broadcast on Radio 4: all series are available now on BBC Sounds. She will make series 11 in 2025.

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BUY THE BOOK:

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

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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: After the Storm by G. D. Wright

Published August 1st, 2024 by Avon Books
Thriller, Mystery, Suspenseful, Psychological Fiction, Domestic Fiction, Police Procedural

Welcome to my review for this outstanding debut. Thank you to Avon Books for sending me a copy of the book in exchange for my honest review.

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ABOUT THE BOOK:

‘So compelling and tightly plotted I couldn’t put it down’ CLAIRE DOUGLAS

‘Tense and emotional…A dark beating heart of a novel’ GILLIAN McALLISTER

‘Totally addictive. One of the most tense and gripping thrillers I’ve read in ages’ LISA JEWELL

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Don’t miss the gripping debut crime novel in which a child’s tragic drowning rips a small community apart with devastating consequences…

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TWO CHILDREN WENT INTO THE SEA.

When Andrew and Sophie take their daughter and her friend to the beach on a stormy day, they are momentarily distracted and both children are washed out to sea. Andrew dives in, but comes back ashore with only one child – Maria, his own daughter. Joe, the son of his best friend and local police officer, Chris, has drowned. But it was just a tragic accident…wasn’t it?

ONLY ONE CAME OUT ALIVE.

As Sergeant Mike Adams and DS Sue Willmott investigate what really happened in the water that afternoon, the ripple effects of the tragedy tear the community apart. The detectives must discover the truth before their colleague – bereaved and desperate father, Chris – takes the investigation into his own hands…

BUT WHO IS TO BLAME?

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MY REVIEW:

Andrew and Sophie take their daughter, Maria, and her best friend, Joe, to the beach on a stormy day. The kids are happily playing when a moment of distraction changes everything and both kids are washed out to sea. Andrew dives into the water to find them, but only comes back with one child. 
When Joe’s parents, Chris and Linda, learn of his death, they want answers. Could his death be more than a tragic accident? As the police investigate, the community is torn apart by the ripple effects of the tragedy. Chris is out for vengeance. Can the police get answers before he takes matters into his own hands?

Heartbreaking, tense, atmospheric and consuming, After the Storm is a remarkable debut. Exquisitely written, deftly plotted and keenly observed, this is a story enmeshed in raw grief, utter devastation and white hot rage. G. D. Wright showcases himself as a talent to watch on the thriller scene, delivering heart-pounding tension and emotions that go straight to your soul in a story that wrecked havoc on my heart as well as my blood pressure. Losing a child is every parents’ worst nightmare and the scenes where they learn of their son’s death are some of the most heartbreakingly raw and evocative that I’ve ever read. I wiped tears from my eyes as their hearts shattered and he wrecked havoc on my heart as well as my blood pressure. I am in awe that this is a debut as it reads like the work of a veteran author. 

Before that tragic day it wasn’t just the kids who were friends, but the parents too, but afterwards they find themselves on opposite sides of the tragedy. While Chris and Linda try to wrap their heads around their life-shattering loss, a cloud of suspicion over Andrew. He fights to prove his innocence but he’s an unreliable narrator and is clearly hiding something. As time goes on, Chris is fueled by the fire of revenge and determined to see Andrew pay for what happened. As the reader, you feel for both sides and also don’t know what to believe as Wright keeps the truth close to the vest. 

For any book to be truly great, you need good characters and Wright has created a cast of brilliant characters who are richly drawn, relatable, made me care about them and made me feel invested in their lives. He makes us feel their emotions and allows us to step into each of their shoes. You can feel the love he put into each of these characters on every page and they are people that will stay with me.

Powerful, moving, unsparing and unforgettable, After the Storm is an absolute triumph. And that ending! Gaz, you totally broke me😭 Both this, and the follow-up Into the Fire, are must-reads for any thriller fans. 

Rating: ✯✯✯✯✯

*I listented to this on Bookbeat. Click here to get 60 days of listening free*

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ABOUT THE AUTHOR:

From Amazon:
My name is Gary (pen name G.D. Wright) and I live on the south east coast of England with my wife and two young children.

I joined Kent Police at the age of 18, working on the front line in a variety of uniformed roles until the age of 29 when, completely out of the blue, I suffered two cardiac ‘events’, and was subsequently diagnosed with a hereditary and incurable disease of the heart (arrhythmogenic right ventricular cardiomyopathy if you’re being fussy!). As a result, I had an internal defibrillator implanted in me, and I had to retire from the police aged 30.

One door closed, but another opened, and my wife and I bought a coffee shop in Ramsgate Harbour. We spent eight of the happiest years of our lives there but, when the kiddies came along, it just wasn’t sustainable. Family comes first, every single time (a theme in my books…), and the simple fact was that we knew our summers should be spent with the kids, not working seven days a week. In 2022, we sold our ‘third baby’ (the coffee shop, not an actual baby – although… what a plot line for the future… making a mental note…), and I took to writing full time.

Fast forward to now. I’ve signed a two book deal with Avon UK (part of the Harper Collins family), and my debut was released in August 2024. It’s called AFTER THE STORM, and it’s a police procedural with a twisty, emotional hook. My second novel, INTO THE FIRE, is coming in the summer of 2025.

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BUY THE BOOK:

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

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Thanks for reading, Bibliophiles xxxxx

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book reviews Emma's Anticipated Treasures Squadpod Book Club

SQUADPOD BOOK CLUB: L.A. Women by Ella Berman

Published August 5th, 2025 by Aria
Historical Fiction, Suspense, Psychological Fiction

Happy publication day to this atmospheric and seductive story. Thank you to Aria for sending me a copy of the book in exchange for my honest review.

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ABOUT THE BOOK:

‘My Brilliant Friend meets Daisy Jones and the Six in this immersive story of friendship and rivalry… Berman is at her finest’ T. Greenwood, author of Keeping Lucy

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An electrifying novel about the complicated friendship between two ambitious writers and the ultimate artistic betrayal: one writes a book based upon the other’s life, revealing everything.from the author of Reese’s Book Club Pick Before We Were Innocent.

After a steady descent from literary stardom, Lane Warren is back. She’s secured a new book deal based off the life of her sometime friend and, more often, rival Gala Margolis. Lane’s only problem is that notorious free spirit Gala has been missing for months.

Ten years earlier, Gala was a charming socialite and Lane was a Hollywood outsider amidst the glittering 1960s L.A. party scene. Though they were never best friends, Lane found Gala sharp and compelling. Gala liked that Lane took her seriously. They were both writers. They were drawn to each other.

That was until Gala’s star began to rise, and Lane grew envious. Then Lane did something that she wouldn’t ever be able to take back.changing the trajectories of both their lives.

Bold, dazzling, and crackling with tension, L.A. Women plunges readers into the legendary parties and unparalleled creativity of iconic Laurel Canyon, while exploring the impossible choices women face when ambition collides with intimacy. At what cost does great art emerge? And who pays the price?

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MY REVIEW:

Los Angeles, 1965. Lane Warren moves from New York in order to work on her first novel.  As she tries to acclimatise to her new home, she begins to attend parties in the Hollywood Hills. It is there that she first meets Gala Margolis, a free spirit who seems to know everyone. The two are never best friends but they are drawn to one another and develop a friendship. As Gala’s literary star begins to rise, Lane is offered a book deal to write about their friendship. As the months go by, Lane feels deep guilt about writing the book, leading to a search for her friend that will uncover dark and shocking secrets…

Seductive, bold, mysterious and suspenseful, L. A. Women is a slow-burning story about friendship, rivalry, jealousy and betrayal. Set in L.A. during the 60s and 70s, Ella Berman brings the city and its Laurel Canyon music and art scene to life in vivid technicolour. It is these alcohol and drug-fuelled parties that serve as a backdrop for the story and the friendship between our two central characters, Lane and Gala. These women are fantastic characters. Richly drawn and compelling, they were fun to read, had me invested in their lives and pulled me into their glamorous but murky world. While both are ambitious writers trying to make a name for themselves in a male-dominated industry, that is where their similarities end. Lane is quieter, more reserved and barely drinks, while Gala is the bawdy, flirty and wild party girl. Their relationship is toxic from the start and I’d call them more frenemies than friends, having a years-long rivalry that leaves a trail of destruction in both their lives. 

Twist-filled, surprising, and full of the ups and downs life brings, this is a book that takes you through every emotion as Berman explores topics such as homophobia, reproductive rights, addiction, marriage, motherhood and fame. Gala’s disappearance also hangs over the story from the start, giving the whole book an air of mystery, foreboding and a ton of questions I needed to know the answers to. Central to the story is Lane’s book about Gala, which is intricately interwoven with not only Gala’s disappearance, but also Lane’s inner fears of failure. She is wracked with guilt and remorse and worried that by writing the book she’s using Gala just as so many others have done. Gala haunts her wherever she goes and nothing she writes is working. So, she decides to find her, but is unprepared for the life-changing revelations she will uncover. 

An atmospheric and thought-provoking read.

Rating: ✮✮✮✮✰

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ABOUT THE AUTHOR:

Ella Berman grew up in both Los Angeles and London, where she studied psychology before working at Sony Music. Her debut novel, The Comeback, was selected as a Read with Jenna book club pick, and her follow-up, Before We Were Innocent, was a Reese’s Book Club pick. Raised by two former hippies on the music and art of the 1960s and 70s, she lives in London with her husband, their senior dog, and their daughter. Her third novel, L.A WOMEN is out in August, 2025.

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BUY THE BOOK:

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

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Thanks for reading, Bibliophiles xxx

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book reviews Emma's Anticipated Treasures Squadpod Squadpod Featured Books

SQUADPOD FEATURED BOOK: The Next Mrs Parrish by Liv Constantine

Published June 18th, 2024 by Quercus
Thriller, Suspense, Psychological Fiction

Welcome to my review for this bingeable thriller. Thanks to Quercus for sending me a copy of the book in exchange for my honest review.

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ABOUT THE BOOK:

Amber Patterson Parrish has come a long way. Hard work and immaculate planning turned her from invisible wallflower to prominent socialite, but there have been bumps along the way. Less than a year after her husband Jackson’s tax-evasion scandal, Amber reigns supreme over the Bishops Harbor community. But with Jackson being released from prison, Amber’s free time – and money – is vanishing.

Meanwhile, Daphne Parrish left Bishops Harbor after her divorce from Jackson, swearing she would never go back. But when one of her daughters runs away from home, desperate to see her father, Daphne agrees to return for the summer. Jackson swears he’s a changed man, but Daphne knows all too well that he can’t be trusted.

When a ghost from Amber’s past emerges looking for revenge, these three find unlikely allies in one another. But who is playing who? When all is said and done, they’ll have to fight tooth and nail for everything they have left in this zero-sum game.

With shocking turns and entertaining characters, The Next Mrs. Parrish will make you rethink everything you thought you knew about duplicity and betrayal.

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MY REVIEW:

Picking up a few years after the events of book one, The Next Mrs Parrish takes us back to Bishops Harbor. Amber Patterson-Parrish is enjoying a life of luxury. But with her husband, Jackson, in prison, money is running out. And his impending release means she’ll have to spend time with the man she manipulated. 

Meanwhile, Jackson’s first wife, Daphne, now lives in California with their daughters. After years of abuse she’s finally free and has sworn never to return to Bishop’s Harbor but when her eldest daughter threatens to run away, she agrees to return for the summer. Jackson is claiming to be a changed man. But Daphne knows better than to trust anything he says. 

As Daphne attempts to navigate co-parenting and Amber makes plans for a different life, a ghost from Amber’s past comes back to haunt her and is intent on revenge. What follows is a gripping game of cat and mouse where everyone has a plan, no-one knows who to trust, and things won’t end well for at least one of them…

I was consumed by this tense, twisty and riveting tale of revenge and devoured it in one sitting. Expertly written, cleverly plotted and intricately woven, Liv Constantine have crafted a story that is even better than the first book.  I loved how everyone is plotting against each other, has no idea who they can trust, and is double-crossing one another. As a reader it was also hard to predict and kept me on the edge of my seat. 

What makes this book so good for me is the characters. Amber and Jackson are such despicable people that it makes you rage and root for their undoing. They made my blood boil and I was furious that they seemed to win again and again. I  had to keep reading in the hope that one of the good guys would come good in the end. Daphne and Daisy-Ann were flawed but good characters and I was totally in their corners at every step. I felt a particular connection to Daphne as I also escaped an abusive marriage many years ago and was cheering her on as she healed and built a new life. She felt very real and the authors did a brilliant job of writing her character.  However, I didn’t like everything she did.  I won’t give details because I don’t do spoilers, but I will say that some of her actions made me want to shake her and scream ‘don’t do it’, however much I understood them. The authors wrote her character really well and she felt so familiar and real. 

Heart-poundingly tense, fast-paced and bingeable, I highly recommend this superb thriller. 

Rating:  ✮✮✮✮✰

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ABOUT THE AUTHOR:

Liv Constantine is the pen name of sisters Lynne Constantine and Valerie Constantine. Lynne and Valerie are New York Times, Wall Street Journal, and USA Today international bestselling authors with over one and a half million copies sold worldwide. They are Library Reads Hall of Fame authors.  Their books have been translated into 29 languages, are available in 34 countries, and are in development for both television and film.  Their books have been praised by The Washington Post, USA Today, The Sunday Times, People Magazine, and Good Morning America, among many others. Their debut novel, THE LAST MRS. PARRISH, is a Reese Witherspoon Book Club selection.

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BUY THE BOOK:

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

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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: The House in the Cerulean Sea (Cerulean Chronicles, 1) by TJ Klune

Published September 16th, 2021 by Tor
Fantasy Fiction, Contemporary Fantasy, Romantic Fantasy, Fantasy Comedy, Paranormal Fiction, Gay Fiction, Book Series

Welcome to my thoughts on this quirky and mesmerising fantasy. Thank you to Tor UK for sending me a copy of the book in exchange for my honest review.

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ABOUT THE BOOK:

A cosy, enchanting story about the profound experience of discovering an unlikely family in an unexpected place – and realizing that family could be yours. The House in the Cerulean Sea is an uplifting, heart-warming queer fantasy from TJ Klune.

‘I loved it. It is like being wrapped up in a big gay blanket. Simply perfect’ – V. E. Schwab, author of The Invisible Life of Addie LaRue

Linus Baker leads a quiet life. At forty, he has a tiny house with a devious cat and his beloved records for company. And at the Department in Charge of Magical Youth, he’s spent many dull years monitoring their orphanages.

Then one day, Linus is summoned by Extremely Upper Management and given a highly classified assignment. He must travel to an orphanage where six dangerous children reside – including the Antichrist.

At the orphanage, Linus must somehow determine if these children could bring about the end of days. But their guardian, the charming and enigmatic Arthur Parnassus, will do anything to protect his wards. And, as Arthur and Linus grow ever closer, Linus must choose: his duty, or his dreams . . .

A New York Times, USA Today and Washington Post bestseller.

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MY REVIEW:

“A home isn’t always the house we live in. It’s also the people we choose to surround ourselves with.”

A ray of sunshine. A feast for the imagination. A balm for the soul. These are just some of the descriptions that come to mind when I think about The House in the Cerulean Sea. A warm hug in book form, this is a gorgeous and quirky story about found family, the lasting footprints we leave in each other’s lives, and finding the magic in the ordinary. And it captured my heart and soul completely. 

It follows Linus Baker, 40, who lives a solitary life in his small house with only his cat, Calliope, for company. Linus works as a Case Worker for the Department in Charge of Magical Youth, overseeing the well-being of children who live in government-sanctioned orphanages. One morning, Linus is unexpectedly summoned to a meeting by Extremely Upper Management and given a highly classified assignment: travel to and assess Marsyas Island Orphanage to discover if the six dangerous children who live there are going to bring about Armageddon. But these curious children aren’t the only secret being kept on the island and Linus is unprepared for what he is about to discover.

Last month, when I realised that I was about to listen to my 50th audiobook of the year, I knew it had to be something special. So, I decided to continue my journey into TJ Klune’s backlist, choosing this one in anticipation of reading the follow up later this month. I was apprehensive about all the hype, but this extraordinary story did not disappoint. I became an instant fan of Klune when I read Under the Whispering Door earlier this year and this extraordinary story has solidified his status as one of my favourite authors. Klune is a master storyteller and he brought every word and character to life with his beautiful storytelling and richly imagined and evocative descriptions. His stories are guaranteed to brighten your day and this one is a glorious burst of vivid technicolour. But among the brightness and cheer, Klune also weaves more serious topics into the narrative, this time tackling prejudice in its many forms. 

Then there are the characters. What a unique and entertaining motley crew they were. I loved Linus, the honest and sweet protagonist who goes through life mostly unnoticed. Linus is human, but his job involves magical creatures, including the children at the orphanage. Living at Marsyas Island Orphanage are a gnome, a sprite, a wyvern, an unidentifiable green blob, a were-Pomeranian, and the Antichrist. These children are dangerous and have some frightening quirks, but what I loved about them is that they are like any other children at heart. I even found myself having a real soft spot for Lucy, the twisted but undeniably childlike son of the devil himself. Then there is Arthur, the orphan’s caretaker. Arthur is very mysterious and we can tell he’s hiding something which makes it hard to know if we really can trust this charming man. But what we do know is that there is chemistry sizzling between Arthur and Linus, which I loved and I was willing Linus to give into his feelings. Marysasy Island Orphanage and its inhabitants have a profound impact on Linus and change his life for the better. I loved watching Linus blossom from a wallflower into who he was by the end of the book and the beautiful relationships he formed with the other characters. 

Charming, witty, whimsical, heartfelt and uplifting, this mesmerising fantasy is a clear-your-schedule, lock out the world and read in one sitting affair. And that final line! Oh, my heart. I am so glad I only have a few more days until book two. 

Rating: ✮✮✮✮.5

*I listened to this audiobook on Bookbeat. Click here to get 60 days of listening free with my affiliate link.*

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ABOUT THE AUTHOR:

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

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book reviews Emma's Anticipated Treasures

SKELF SUMMER: The Opposite of Lonely (The Skelfs, 5) by Doug Johnstone

Published September 14th, 2023 by Orenda Books
Thriller, Mystery, Suspense, Dark Comedy, Domestic Noir, Noir Fiction, Urban Fiction, Romance Novel

Welcome to the fifth instalment in Skelf Summer. Thank you to Orenda Books for the invitation to take part and for sending me a copy of the book in exchange for my honest review.

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ABOUT THE BOOK:

A body lost at sea, arson, murder, astronauts, wind phones, communal funerals, stalking and conspiracy theories … This can ONLY mean one thing! The Skelfs are back, and things are as tense, unnerving and warmly funny as ever!
 
‘A terrific read with all of Johnston’s trademark warmth and wicked wit in the latest gripping outing for this beguiling family’ A K Turner 
 
‘Some of the best female characters in crime fiction. Pitch-perfect balance of dark and light … disturbing, compassionate and brilliantly funny’ Sarah Hilary
 
‘The Skelfs series just gets better and better! Outstanding characters and a gripping plot … Doug Johnstone is one of the greats of Scottish crime fiction’ Luca Veste
 
____________
 
Even death needs company…
 
The Skelf women are recovering from the cataclysmic events that nearly claimed their lives. Their funeral-director and private-investigation businesses are back on track, and their cases are as perplexing as ever.
 
Matriarch Dorothy looks into a suspicious fire at an illegal campsite and takes a grieving, homeless man under her wing. Daughter Jenny is searching for her missing sister-in-law, who disappeared in tragic circumstances, while grand-daughter Hannah is asked to investigate increasingly dangerous conspiracy theorists, who are targeting a retired female astronaut … putting her own life at risk.
 
With a body lost at sea, funerals for those with no one to mourn them, reports of strange happenings in outer space, a funeral crasher with a painful secret, and a violent attack on one of the family, The Skelfs face their most personal – and perilous – cases yet. Doing things their way may cost them everything…
 
Tense, unnerving and warmly funny, The Opposite of Lonely is the hugely anticipated fifth instalment in the unforgettable Skelfs series, and this time, danger comes from everywhere…

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MY REVIEW:

We’re back in Scotland with the Skelf women for week five of Skelf Summer. I can’t believe that next week I’ll be up to date on this series and will face the long wait for another instalment.

The Opposite of Lonely is another outstanding instalment in this addictive series. There’s arson, stalking, arson, murder, theories, secrets, family drama, green funerals, community funerals, astronauts, and more. This is suspense writing at its finest and it’s easy to see why this book was included in The Times’ list of Best New Crime Fiction for September 2023.

Dorothy, Jenny and Hannah Skelf work together running their family funeral home and private investigation company. Intelligent, fierce, funny, sassy and no-nonsense, the trio are likeable, flawed and real, and they feel like people I could meet in everyday life—just with unorthodox jobs. It’s no secret that I have a particular soft spot for Dorothy, the matriarch of her family. Dorothy is in her seventies but has lost none of her character or sass. Not only does she still run and actively participate in both businesses but she also has a younger boyfriend, active sex life, and plays in a band. She is the kind of older female character we need more of as life is far from over when you hit middle age and I love reading about women who are thriving in their twilight years. 

Doug Johnstone is a masterful storyteller who just keeps getting better. He writes with an intoxicating mix of apprehension, sensitivity, and humour, which he combines with a multilayered plot, authentic characters, and short, striking chapters to create a first-rate thriller. The intricately woven plot explores topics such as prejudice, the environment, and grief, and I particularly enjoyed the inclusion of the Japanese wind phone that people use to call their lost loved ones. I devoured this book in almost one sitting, reading in breathless anticipation as it built to its heart-pounding crescendo.

A sensational thriller that is also darkly funny, moving, and crackles with tension, this is a must read. Perfect whether read as part of the series or as a standalone. 

Rating: ✮✮✮✮✰

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ABOUT THE AUTHOR:

Doug Johnstone is the author of Fourteen novels, includingThe Great Silence, the third in the Skelfs series, which has been optioned for  In 2021, The Big Chill, the second in the series, was longlisted for the Theakston’s Old Peculier Crime Novel of the Year. In 2020, A Dark Matter, the first in the series, was shortlisted for the McIlvanney Prize for Scottish Crime Novel of the Year and the Capital Crime Amazon Publishing Independent Voice Book of the Year award. Black Hearts (Book four), was published in 2022, with The Opposite of Lonely (book five) out in 2023. Several of his books have been bestsellers and award winners, and his first science fiction novel, The Space Between Us, was a BBC2 Between the Covers pick. He’s taught creative writing, been writer in residence at various institutions, and has been an arts journalist for twenty years. Doug is a songwriter and musician with five albums and three EPs released, and he plays drums for the Fun Lovin’ Crime Writers. He lives in Edinburgh.

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book reviews Emma's Anticipated Treasures Squadpod Squadpod Featured Books

SQUADPOD FEATURED BOOK: The Liars by Katherine Fleet

Published August 15th, 2024 by Michael Joseph
Mystery, Thriller, Suspense, Psychological Thriller, Crime Fiction

Welcome to my review for the The Liars, the unnerving thriller by Katherine Fleet, which was one of the SquadPod Featured Books in August. Thank you to Michael Joseph for sending me a copy of the book in exchange for my honest review.

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ABOUT THE BOOK:

EAD THE INTENSE, EVOCATIVE DESTINATION THRILLER FOR FANS OF LUCY CLARKE AND WILL DEAN


Two sisters. One missing girl. An island full of secrets . . .

‘Compelling and utterly transportive, a scorching summer read’ LUCY CLARKE

‘Beautiful writing and characterisation and a gripping plot. Such an atmospheric read ‘ SARAH PEARSE

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I thought I saw her today. Down by the water. It was her hair I noticed. Do you ever see her, Lex? Does she haunt you too?

I haven’t been back to Eos since I first met my step-sister, Lex.
It’s been twenty-five years since that summer.
Since we went from strangers to sisters.
Since Abigail went missing.

Since we told the first lie.

Now we’re back together on the island.
So much has changed since we were teenagers.
We’ve both tried to move on from the past – from each other.
But the island won’t let us escape our secrets.

Only me and Lex know the truth about Abigail.
We’ve been living a lie for so long.
And if the truth comes out – neither of us will survive it . . .

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MY REVIEW:

A cold case that has never been solved. Teenage friendship and insecurities. A sun-soaked summer of memories and secrets. A missing girl. The Liars has all this and more, making it the perfect scorching summer thriller.

Still haunted by memories of the sun-soaked summer she met Lex, Zoe hasn’t returned to Eos for twenty-five years. That summer wasn’t just one of teenage fun, friendship and insecurities, it was also when a girl went missing and her two friends swore to keep a dark secret forever. But now, Zoe is back for her step-father’s funeral and finds that the ghosts of that summer never left the island. And they’ve been waiting for her to return…

Atmospheric, intense, unnerving and addictive, this escapist thriller is not to be missed. Told in dual timelines, Katherine Fleet has packed a lot into these pages: heartbreak, grief, friendship, insecurity, anxiety, envy, secrets, lies, romance, and self-discovery. Her writing is skillful and captivating,  a sense of uneasiness and foreboding woven through the story while darkness simmers beneath the surface. There is also a strong sense of place, Fleet transporting me to the island of Eos so evocatively that I  could feel the sun rays hitting my skin, hear the waves and smell the suncream. From the start we know that something bad happened twenty-five years ago. A secret that Zoe and Lex had vowed to always hide and was so terrible it tore them apart. Chills ran down my spine and I was on the edge of my seat as I tried to guess what had happened to Abigail. 

Zoe narrates the story in both timelines, offering the reader a glimpse into her psyche and showing us the other characters through her lens. This obviously makes it a biased account of events, but you get the sense that Zoe is a reliable narrator. Fleet’s characterisation is spot on, perfectly capturing the bittersweet teenage years with all their rebellion, angst, confusion and insecurity. She also perfectly captures the dynamics of teenage female friendships with all their drama, rivalry and jealousy. 

So if you’re looking for a suspenseful and intriguing read you can escape with this summer, The Liars is for you. 

Rating: ✮✮✮✮✰

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ABOUT THE AUTHOR:

Katherine Fleet is a writer and author coach for The Novelry. As a journalist, she wrote for The Guardian, Sunday Times, Red, Stella and Grazia. She lives in a Cotswold valley with her two rescue dogs, where she writes and coaches full-time. A trip to the small Greek island of Paxos was the inspiration for The Liars.

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Categories
book reviews Emma's Anticipated Treasures Squadpod Squadpod Book Club Squadpod Recommends

SQUADPOD BOOK CLUB: The Drownings by Hazel Barkworth

Published August 1st, 2024 by Headline
Gothic Fiction, Fairy Tale, Dark Academia, Horror Fiction, Coming-of-Age Story

Welcome to my review for this intoxicating novel which was our SquadPod Book Club book this month. Thank you to Headline for sending me a copy of the book in exchange for my honest review.

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ABOUT THE BOOK:

‘Breathtaking… dark academia at its most compelling’ ERIN KELLY
‘An extraordinary story of female power, rage and oppression’ KATIE BISHOP
‘Barkworth is excruciatingly good’ OBSERVER

These waters became wild centuries before this university was dreamed of. Leysham has always been a dangerous place for women . . .

Serena arrives on campus reeling from the injury that destroyed her champion swimming career. She is lost until she meets Jane, an enigmatic tutor obsessed with the historic witch trials that took place in Leysham’s freezing waters.

When several young women are assaulted, the university’s shadowy legacy becomes inescapable. Those in power turn a blind eye, but Jane urges Serena and her friends to rise up. As their anger builds into an inferno of female rage, Serena takes matters into her own hands.

Leysham has reawakened something within her, a dark, impossible power. In the waters, she can see what must be done – and the sacrifice it will demand.

From the author of Heatstroke, an intoxicatingly atmospheric new novel about competition, obsession and influence – for readers of The Things We Do to Our Friends, Weyward and Promising Young Woman.

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MY REVIEW:

“What is a witch but a woman with power?”

Leysham University is a place with a dark history. A river flows alongside the campus where witch trials were once held, and last year students died after falling into the river on their way home from a night out. Serena Roberts is in her first year at the university and struggling to adjust, not only to life on campus, but to life without competitive swimming after an injury forced her to retire. Then one night she saves another student from drowning with the help of Jane, an enigmatic history professor who is obsessed with the historic witch trials, and everything changes. When Serena and her friends discover the college’s history of covering up assaults against female students, Jane encourages them to rise up against the university. Sparking a series of events that quickly gets out of control…

Fierce, powerful and enraging, The Drownings is an intoxicating story of female rage, obsession, rivalry, jealousy and influence. It also explores identity and desire, taking her characters on journeys of self-discovery and exploring the many different facets of desire in our lives. Hazel Barkworth’s writing is darkly atmospheric and discerning, drawing you into the murky world of Leysham. This is a story with many layers that are all intricately interwoven. I loved the eerie opening pages which made me think this was going to be a very gothic book, but while it still had a darkness, this is a thriller rather than gothic fiction. Barkworth blends modern themes such as social media and the Me Too movement with history. It feels timely and relatable while also showing us how little has really changed as women are still subjected to the same treatment but with a different name and means of punishment. Where women were once called witches and dunked, they are now trolled on social media and their truths hushed up to protect the men who harm them.  Barkworth also explores themes of identity and desire; and the toxicity of jealousy, comparison, and how harshly we talk to ourselves, taking us along for the ride with her characters on their journey of self discovery. 

The book is filled with an assorted cast of richly drawn and compelling characters. The protagonist, Serena, is a great character and I really felt for her. With her injury she hasn’t just lost swimming, she’s lost her whole identity and is forced to find herself again. Being away at university only compounds her confusion and loneliness, and I just wanted to reach out and hug her. Serena’s cousin, Zara, is another character we get to know well. Zara is a familiar character: living a carefully curated online life that hides her real insecurities. The rivalry between Serena and Zara is an important facet of both character’s lives as it has shaped how they’ve seen themselves from a young age. And the change in their dynamic now that Zara is a successful influencer while her star no longer shines bright, is particularly hard for Serena to deal with. Jane is also a very interesting character and her fixation on the witch trials is contagious, making it easy to understand how the students got pulled into everything. I enjoyed the activism storyline that is introduced by Zara but then merges with Jane’s cause to create something bigger and more out of control than any of them expected. Their anger, resolve and terror leaped from the pages and made me feel like I was right there with them. 

An absorbing and immersive piece of dark academia, this is one I highly recommend. 

Rating: ✮✮✮✮✰

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ABOUT THE AUTHOR:

Hazel grew up in Stirlingshire and North Yorkshire before studying English at Oxford. She then moved to London where she spent her days working as a cultural consultant, and her nights dancing in glam rock clubs. Hazel is a graduate of both the Oxford University MSt in Creative Writing and the Curtis Brown Creative Novel-Writing course. Her debut novel Heatstroke was published by Headline in 2020. She now lives in York with her partner.

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Thanks for reading, Bibliophiles xxxx