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book reviews Emma's Anticipated Treasures Most Anticipated 2025

BOOK REVIEW: The Woman in the Wallpaper by Lora Jones

Published February 20th, 2025 by Sphere
Historical Fiction, Psychological Fiction

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ABOUT THE BOOK:

‘Spellbinding’ SUSAN STOKES-CHAPMAN
‘Enthralling’ HESTER MUSSON
‘Astonishingly accomplished’ CARI THOMAS
‘Beautifully woven’ HARRIET CONSTABLE
‘Exquisite’ ANNA MAZZOLA
‘Expertly plotted’ JOANNE BURN
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Paris, 1789. The Oberst Factory, which crafts exquisite wallpaper for the most fashionable French homes, is a place shrouded in mystery. Most enigmatic is the woman pictured in each of its prints, rumoured to be the late Mrs Oberst, who died in peculiar circumstances.

When sisters Lara and Sofi arrive there for work, they quickly form a friendship with Josef Oberst, the motherless heir to the factory. Whilst Sofi’s political fervour intensifies, Lara is disturbed by the uncanny way her life appears mirrored in the wallpaper. Meanwhile Hortense, Josef’s spoilt aristocratic wife, is similarly unnerved by the scenes that line the walls of her new home. With the mobs growing ever more violent, is she in danger of meeting the same untimely end as the last Mrs Oberst?

As revolution blazes across France, the lives of Sofi, Lara and Hortense are set to collide in unimaginable and irrevocable ways. Can they change what lies ahead, or are some patterns destined to be repeated?

buy here

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MY REVIEW:

Eerie, unnerving, mysterious and spellbinding, The Woman in the Wallpaper is a haunting debut steeped in gothic allure that transports us to eighteenth century France and the French Revolution. 

After the death of their father, sisters Sofi and Lara arrive at The Oberst Factory in Paris, which crafts exquisite and particular toile de Jouy wallpaper for the country’s most fashionable and elite homes. But the factory is a place that has been shrouded in mystery ever since the death of Madame Oberst in strange circumstances five years earlier. There are whispers she haunts the grounds and that it is her image that is featured on all of the factory’s prints. The sisters soon form a friendship with Josef Oberst, a motherless loner who is heir to the factory. 

Meanwhile, Hortense, a spoiled aristocrat’s daughter who lives in the palace of Versailles, is forced into an arranged marriage with Josef and sent to live in the family’s mansion by the factory. Lara is set to work as her lady’s maid and is shocked to find that her new bedchamber is covered in violet wallpaper patterned with vignetted scenes from a woman’s life. Unnervingly, the woman looks exactly like her and scenes from her own life are mirrored on the paper. 

As the worker’s grievances increase, the mob becomes more violent, political unrest takes a greater hold, and revolution rages throughout France, the lives of the three women are set to collide in unthinkable ways and with deadly and explosive consequences.

A gorgeous tapestry of a novel that is rich in sumptuous historical detail, Lora Jones had me in her thrall from the first page to the very last. Expertly choreographed and beautifully interwoven, Jone’s beautiful prose tells this an intoxicating story of love, loss, mystery, hostility and conviction, all set against the volatile backdrop of the French revolution. Her meticulous research is evident on every page and I loved learning the intricacies of working in a wallpaper factory, the contrast between the lives of the workers and aristocracy, and more about the revolution, which is all brought to life in full, terrible detail thanks to Jones’ spectacular and vivid imagery. The story is atmospheric, forbidding and has hints of the supernatural from the start. But soon terror began to bleed into the pages, the words gleamed with a chilling malice and shivers ran down my spine.

All of the characters in this story, whether they are the narrators or background characters, are richly drawn and compelling. The three women who narrate the story – Sofi, Lara and Hortense – are very different people with their own interests and concerns. But as life at the factory, and in all of France, becomes more dangerous, they find that their fates are interwoven in unexpected ways. I enjoyed reaching each of their narratives but admit that it was Lara I found most enthralling. I was mesmerised by her story; the idea of seeing yourself and your life depicted in the wallpaper that is pasted in a place you’ve never been before and fear consuming you as you feel sure someone is watching you and you think you see the woman in the wallpaper move. It was so haunting that even eight months after reading it the memory still gives me chills. And I must mention Hortense, who was a wonderful villain filled with  arrogance and snobbiness. She was fun to read and I loved to hate her, but I admit that I did feel some sympathy as time went on.

A magnificent and unsettling gothic mystery, I highly recommend this haunting debut.

Rating: ✮✮✮✮✮

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

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ABOUT THE AUTHOR:

After studying English Literature at the University of Durham, Lora began her career working in the TV industry in London, reading scripts for ITV’s Drama Department, and writing factual programme content and comedy material for the BBC, Channel 4 and others. She also spent over a decade assisting professional TV and stage magicians, and gathering up their secrets.

Lora now lives amongst the rugged hills of North Wales where she is currently rewilding an 18th century sheep farm. In her spare time she paints wildlife and sells her work in aid of wildlife conservation charities.

Passionate about creating and writing original stories, The Woman in the Wallpaper is Lora’s first novel. She is also the co-creator/host of The Magician’s Wife podcast.

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Thanks for reading, Bibliophiles xxxx

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Blog Tours book reviews

BLOG BLAST: Before Her Eyes by Jack Jordan

Re-issued June 5th, 2025 by Simon & Schuster UK
Thriller, Mystery, Suspense, Psychological Fiction

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ABOUT THE BOOK:

She can’t see the killer. But the killer can see her. An unputdownable thriller from the master of the moral dilemma and Sunday Times bestselling author.

‘A smart, claustrophobic thriller with a twist that left me reeling. I couldn’t turn the pages fast enough’ Claire Douglas, bestselling author of The New Neighbours
‘A first-rate psychological thriller’ John Marrs, bestselling author of When You Disappeared 

Naomi Hannah has been blind since birth, living her life in darkness. Trapped in her claustrophobic hometown, she’s finally reached her breaking point.

But everything changes when she stumbles across the body of a young woman who has been brutally murdered. Not only that, but Naomi senses she isn’t alone at the scene… Someone is there with her. The killer is watching.

Naomi may not be able to see their face, but she is the only person who can identify them.

As the police begin their hunt and more victims are discovered, Naomi is forced to answer the question on which her fate hangs: why did the killer let her live?

And in a town this small, the murderer may still be close. Perhaps even before her very eyes…

buy here

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MY REVIEW:

She can’t see the killer.  But the killer can see her….

Blind since birth, Naomi Hannah is struggling with living in a small, claustrophobic town and has considered ending her life but everything changes when she stumbles across the body of a young woman who has been brutally murdered. And Naomi’s heightened senses tell her she’s not alone. There is someone else at the scene who is watching her. She hasn’t seen their face, but she is still a witness and the only person who can identify them. Why did they let her live? And, more importantly, who are they? After all, in a town this small they could be right before her eyes…

Darkly atmospheric, tense and addictive, Before Her Eyes was the book that started my love of Jack Jordan and his edge-of-your-seat thrillers. I read it back in the Autumn of 2018 and it has stayed with me. Jordan’s flair for sinister storytelling is showcased on every page and he had me in his thrall from the first page to the last. He knows how to keep his reader on their toes, and while I had suspicions about who the killer might be,  I was never sure and didn’t know who to trust or what would happen next. And when all was revealed I sat back in a state of amazement and awe at the shocking truth of the culprit’s identity.

The decision to make Naomi blind is something that affects every facet of this story and adds to the sense of ominous tension that lingers on every page. It felt like an inspired but tricky choice, undoubtedly presenting Jordan with extra challenges when he was writing the book. But Jordan rose to the challenge, expertly conveying the trials and tribulations it brings to Naomi’s life and I found it fascinating learning more about how she navigated the world. Her blindness also adds a sense of fear and anxiety into situations where it would be missing for a sighted person, such as the killer being able to recognise Naomi from the scene of the crime and then stalk her without her being able to prove it. It didn’t matter she could sense them watching her as there was no proof. And it was terrifying. Naomi’s loneliness and dread radiated from the pages and my heart broke for her as she slowly found herself unable to trust anyone and became increasingly isolated. The killer taunted this already vulnerable woman, relishing the fact they could stalk her and others would just think she was being paranoid. I was so angry and frustrated, totally glued to the pages as I waited for the killer to be unmasked and justice to be served. I couldn’t wait for Naomi to be safe and vindicated at last.

Sensational and suspenseful, Before Her Eyes is an unforgettable thriller and a must-read for thriller fans. Just make sure to clear your schedule before you start reading.

Rating: ✮✮✮✮✮

Thank you to Tracy at Compulsive Readers Tours for the invitation to take part in this blog blast, and to Simon & Schuster UK for sending me a copy of this book in exchange for my honest review.

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ABOUT THE AUTHOR:

Jack Jordan is the global number one bestselling author of Anything for Her (2015), My Girl (2016), A Woman Scorned (2018), Before Her Eyes (2018) and Night by Night (2019).

His latest thriller, Do No Harm, was an instant Times bestseller and shortlisted for the Most Recommended Book in the DeadGood Reader Awards. Coined the thriller of the summer for 2022, it was described as “relentlessly tense” by Sunday Times Bestseller Lesley Kara, and “Chilling and perfectly paced” by New York Times Bestseller Sarah Pearse.

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Thanks for reading, Bibliophiles xxxx

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

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Beat the Backlist book reviews Emma's Anticipated Treasures

BOOK REVIEW: Forget Me Not (Helen Grace, 12) by M. J. Arlidge

Published July 4th, 2024 by Orion
Thriller, Mystery, Crime Fiction, Suspense, Police Procedural, Crime Series, Psychological Thriller

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ABOUT THE BOOK:

Prepare to read the most exhilarating thriller from M.J. Arlidge yet….

When local teenager Naomi goes missing, Detective Inspector Helen Grace is her only hope.

But with the police force under fire from all sides as a gang war grips the city, Helen will have to defy direct orders to search for her.

Helen’s secret investigation follows a disturbing trail of missing girls disappearing from the streets. She’s the only person looking for them. And with the clock still ticking, she’s about to have more enemies than time working against her…

BUY THE BOOK

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MY REVIEW:

After a fight with her boyfriend Darren, teenager Naomi finds herself on the streets with nowhere to go. The homeless shelters are full, so she finds a place outside that seems to offer enough shelter to sleep and settles down. As she does, a man approaches her and offers to take her somewhere safe and warm and she goes with him. A decision she quickly regrets when he kidnaps her and Naomi wakes in a dark and claustrophobic cell. And she’s not alone.

Naomi’s mother, Sheila, receives a silent call from her daughter and spends the night searching the streets. After a fruitless night, she goes to the police station, where DI Helen Grace listens to her and promises to make Naomi’s case a priority. Even if that means she must defy orders to do so. Soon, Helen’s secret investigation leads her to a trail of girls being taken from the streets. And no one else is looking for them. Can she find Naomi and solve the mystery before time runs out?

Dark, propulsive and heart-stoppingly suspenseful, we’re back with Helen Grace and the team for their twelfth instalment. The Helen Grace series is probably my favourite crime series, and each new book is an auto-buy to add to my shelves. After not finding time to read this one last year I couldn’t wait to return to it and catch up. Once again M. J. Arlidge has crafted a deftly written, expertly plotted and twisty thriller that kept me guessing and had me on the edge of my seat from start to finish. And speaking of the ending, Mr. Arlidge you are evil to end the book like that! Thank goodness I have book thirteen ready to read. 

Forget Me Not is another exhilarating instalment in a series that all thriller-lovers should read. 

Rating: ✮✮✮✮✰

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

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ABOUT THE AUTHOR:

M. J. Arlidge has worked in television for the last twenty years, specializing in high-end drama production, including prime-time crime serials Silent Witness, Torn, The Little House and, most recently, the hit ITV show Innocent. In 2015 his audiobook exclusive Six Degrees of Assassination was a number-one bestseller.

His debut thriller, Eeny Meeny, was the UK’s bestselling crime debut of 2014. He has now written thirteen books in the DI Helen Grace series and written two standalone novels, A Gift For Dying and Eye For An Eye.

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Thanks for reading, Bibliophiles xxxx

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Blog Tours book reviews Emma's Anticipated Treasures

BLOG TOUR: Black As Death (An Arora Investigation, 5) by Lilja Sigurdardottir

Published October 23rd, 2025 by Orenda Books
Mystery, Thriller, Noir Fiction, Hardboiled, Nordic Noir, Translated Ficiton

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ABOUT THE BOOK:

A final reckoning…

With the fate of her missing sister, Ísafold, finally uncovered, Áróra feels a fragile relief as the search that consumed her life draws to a close. But when Ísafold’s boyfriend – the prime suspect in her disappearance – is found dead at the same site where Ísafold’s body was discovered, Áróra’s grip on reality starts to unravel … and the mystery remains far from solved.

To distract herself, she dives headfirst into a money-laundering case that her friend Daníel is investigating. But she soon finds that there is more than meets the eye and, once again, all leads point towards Engihjalli, the street where Ísafold lived and died, and a series of shocking secrets that could both explain and endanger everything…

Atmospheric, dark and chilling, Black as Death is the breathtaking finale to the twisty, immersive An Áróra Investigation series, as Áróra and her friends search for answers that may take them to places even darker than death…

Perfect for readers of Camilla Läckberg, Karin Slaughter, Eva Björg Ægisdóttir and Jo Nesbø.

buy here

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MY REVIEW:

Breathtaking, emotional, shocking and twisty, Black As Death is the fifth installment and the unforgettable finale in the Árora Investigation series. Set in Iceland, a landscape with a bleak, mournful, sinister and forbidding atmosphere that is echoed in the emotions evoked by this story of love, loss, abuse, fear and murder. 

The book opens with Ísafold hiding in the bathroom after another round of abuse from her drug-dealing husband, Bjorn. She considers calling her sister, Árora, but knows she’ll tell her to leave or that there’s nothing she can do as Ísafold always goes back to him. So despite her desperation and loneliness, she decides it isn’t right to bother her sister. Not even as she whispers to herself that she thinks Bjorn will kill her soon.

We then jump forward, to Árora’s point of view. It’s now four years since Ísafold went missing and suspicion fell on Bjorn, the theory being that he killed her and then fled to Canada. But this past spring Ísafold’s body was found in a suitcase deep within a volcanic fissure in a lava field and Bjorn’s body was also located in another suitcase in that same lava field. If Bjorn didn’t kill her sister then who did? Árora’s partner, Daniel, a detective, and his work colleague, Helena, are investigating the murders, but answers aren’t coming quickly enough for Árora.

Running parallel to this, Daniel has discovered a possible money laundering operation that involves a local coffee chain. The shops aren’t busy enough for the amount of money they are taking and the owners have filed numerous complaints of criminal damage and violent acts against them that they later decline to pursue, making Daniel even more suspicious. This is just the kind of case that would benefit from Á́rora’s skills as an investigator and also prove a good distraction for her, so Daniel asks her to help. Arora happily throws herself into the case, it is soon clear that there is more to this case than first thought. And it is dragging her right back to that same street where her sister lived and died…

Darkly atmospheric, tense and heartrending, this was an addictive piece of Nordic noir. And what a finale! Lilja Sigurðardóttir had me in her thrall from start to finish. The story moves between timelines and narrators, the tension rising and the atmosphere getting tauter as the timelines converged and we raced towards an explosive conclusion. There is a lot going on in this book but it is never confusing, even when like me you’ve fallen behind on the series. Sigurðardóttir catches us up with past events and skillfully makes the different voices easily identifiable so that you never lose track of what’s happening. However, it isn’t always clear what timeline some of the characters and scenes are taking place in, but that felt deliberate and it heightened the mystery and suspense. I listened to this on audiobook, Sigurðardóttir’s expert storytelling and choreography merging with Lorenza Garcia’s fantastic translation and the compelling narration of Colleen Prendergast to create an utterly riveting and emotional thriller. I was on tenterhooks right up until its conclusion, which doesn’t leave you with the usual feeling of satisfaction you get when a killer is unmasked and the truth is finally revealed. Instead, there was a profound sadness at lives lost and other lives changed forever.

Árora, Daniel and Helen are likeable characters who it was easy to support. They each have different characteristics and skills that merge together to create a formidable crime-fighting team. While they, and all of the characters, are fascinating and layered, it is Árora and Ísafold who stood out as the most complex and memorable characters. Árora’s grief is palpable, as is her guilt at not being able to save her sister, her anger at her killer, and her desperation to find answers and justice. I was rooting for her at every step, praying that she would finally get the answers after years of torment. But I think the character who had the biggest emotional impact on me was Ísafold, and not only because I myself have been in an abusive relationship. Ísafold’s vulnerability, fear and turmoil radiate from the pages. We feel her inner conflict as she is torn between love for Bjorn and knowing she needs to leave, made even harder for her as he uses the classic abusive tactic of lovebombing her after each incident so that she forgives him again. Not only that, but having already isolated her from almost everyone, he cleverly manipulates her into giving up the job she loves to take a job as a carer and then coercing her into stealing pills he can then sell on. The biggest villains, Bjorn and his fearsome boss, Stuler, were skillfully written, made my blood boil and chills run down my spine. I spent the whole book longing for them to get their comeuppance and hoping justice would be served.

If you haven’t read this series, then add it to your TBR now. A must-read for all thriller fans.

Rating: ✮✮✮✮✰

Thank you to Anne at Random Things Tours for the invitation to take part and to Orenda Books for sending me a copy of the book in exchange for my honest review.

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ABOUT THE AUTHOR:

Icelandic crime-writer Lilja Sigurðardóttir was born in the town of Akranes in 1972 and raised in Mexico, Sweden, Spain and Iceland. An award-winning playwright, Lilja has written ten crime novels, including Snare, Trap and Cage, making up the Reykjavík Noir trilogy, and her standalone thriller Betrayal, all of which have hit bestseller lists worldwide. Snare was longlisted for the CWA International Dagger, Cage won Best Icelandic Crime Novel of the Year and was a Guardian Book of the Year, and Betrayal was shortlisted for the prestigious Glass Key Award and won Icelandic Crime Novel of the Year. The film rights for the Reykjavík Noir trilogy have been bought by Palomar Pictures in California. Cold as Hell, the first book in the An Áróra Investigation series, was published in the UK in 2021. She lives in Reykjavík with her partner.

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ABOUT THE TRANSLATOR:

Lorenza Garcia spent her early adulthood living and working in Iceland, Spain and France. She has been a full-time literary translator since 2008 and has translated and co-translated over forty novels and works of non-fiction from French, Spanish and Icelandic. She currently lives in South London with her Tibetan Terrier.

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Thanks for reading, Bibliophiles xxxx

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

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book reviews Emma's Anticipated Treasures Squadpod Book Club

SQUADPOD BOOK CLUB: Silent Bones by Val McDermid

Published October 23rd, 2025 by Sphere
Thriller, Mystery, Suspense, Crime Series

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ABOUT THE BOOK:THE POWERFUL NEW THRILLER IN THE KAREN PIRIE SERIES, NOW A MAJOR TV SERIES

‘Beautifully structured, witty and twisty’ ANN CLEEVES
‘A perfect crime novel’ KATE MOSSE
‘Powerful, moving and wise’ HARLAN COBEN
‘Full of humour, heart and trademark twists’ CHRIS WHITAKER
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The truth is buried just beneath the surface . . .

When torrential rain causes a landslide on a motorway in Scotland, it reveals a crime scene: someone hid a body in the tarmac eleven years before. Journalist Sam Nimmo had been the prime suspect in the murder of his fiancée when he disappeared, and now DCI Karen Pirie and her Historic Cases Unit must find out who buried him, and why.

Meanwhile, in Edinburgh, new evidence reopens a closed case and the accidental death of a hotel manager starts to look like murder. But what did Tom Jamieson’s book club have to do with his demise – and what will they do to keep their secrets?

Karen and her team begin to untangle a web of lies, one that connects their murder cases with Scotland’s rich and powerful. They will be tested to their limits – and possibly beyond . . .

buy here

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MY REVIEW:

When torrential rain causes a landslide on a Scottish motorway it uncovers human remains that are soon identified as belonging to journalist Sam Nimmo, who disappeared eleven years earlier after the murder of his pregnant fiancée. He was the prime suspect, but now Karen Pirie and her Historic Cases Unit must discover how and why he was buried beneath the tarmac. 

Meanwhile, the team are reopening the investigation into the accidental death of hotel manager Tom Jamieson after his brother comes in with new evidence that seems to point to foul play. Soon, the evidence leads them to the elite book club Tom had joined shortly before his death. What are they hiding and just how far will they go to keep their secrets?

The SquadPod’s Book Club pick for October was the eighth instalment in the Karen Pirie series. Intriguing, mysterious and suspenseful, this enthralling thriller had me glued to its pages. Val McDermid is a crime fiction powerhouse so I jumped at the chance to read this book, even though it had been a while since I’d read this series. But I never felt lost or confused as McDermid succinctly catches the reader up with past events and the lives of Karen and her team. I was quickly immersed in this twisted web of power, corruption, secrets, lies, deceit and murder.

Expertly written, shrewdly choreographed, perfectly paced and full of heart and humour, McDermid’s crime-writing credentials are evident on every page. The book is filled with a cast of compelling characters that I loved reading. I loved the camaraderie and banter of Karen and her team, and how deftly they solve these old crimes. I liked that McDermid includes just the right amount of their personal lives to help us develop a connection with them that will keep you coming back for another instalment. The background characters are also fascinating to read and there were some unscrupulous characters that I couldn’t wait to see punished for their crimes. My heart raced and I was on the edge of my seat as Karen and her team untangled the intricate web to find the truth and finally get justice for these victims.

A must-read for anyone who enjoys a tense and twisty police procedural.

Rating: ✮✮✮✮✰ 

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

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ABOUT THE AUTHOR:

Val McDermid is a number one bestseller whose novels have been translated into more than forty languages, and have sold over eighteen million copies. She has won many awards internationally, including the CWA Gold Dagger for best crime novel of the year and the LA Times Book of the Year Award. She was inducted into the ITV3 Crime Thriller Awards Hall of Fame in 2009, was the recipient of the CWA Cartier Diamond Dagger in 2010 and received the Lambda Literary Foundation Pioneer Award in 2011. In 2016, Val received the Outstanding Contribution to Crime Fiction Award at the Theakstons Old Peculier Crime Writing Festival and in 2017 received the DIVA Literary Prize for Crime, and was elected a Fellow of both the Royal Society of Literature and the Royal Society of Edinburgh. Val has served as a judge for the Women’s Prize for Fiction and the Man Booker Prize, and was Chair of the Wellcome Book Prize in 2017. She is the recipient of six honorary doctorates and is an Honorary Fellow of St Hilda’s College, Oxford. She writes full-time and divides her time between Edinburgh and East Neuk of Fife.

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Thanks for reading, Bibliophiles xxxx

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BOOK REVIEW: The Last Witch by C. J. Cooke

Published October 9th, 2025 by Harper Collins
Historical Fiction, Gothic Fiction, Thriller, Horror Fiction, Supernatural Fiction

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ABOUT THE BOOK:

Will she be damned by flame… or cursed by magic?

Innsbruck 1485

Helena should be doing what every other wealthy young wife is doing: keeping her husband’s house, bearing his children. But when their footman is found dead, Helena is accused of killing him. Worse, she is accused of being a witch.

Imprisoned with six other women, Helena is plunged into a world of terror. When a cursed witch totem is smuggled into the prison, the prisoners attempt to use it to escape only to unleash a malevolent spirit which places all their lives in danger.

Does Helena risk her life and the lives of others by standing up to the terrifying witchfinder and risk death at the stake if found guilty? Or is the real threat the world beyond this one…?

buy the book

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MY REVIEW:

“He calls us witches but he does not know what a witch is. He believes a witch is a woman and that women are inherently evil.”

Gorgeously gothic, haunting, harrowing and powerful, The Last Witch is a bewitching story about witch trials, sisterhood, female rage, courage, justice and misogyny.

Innsbruck, Austria, 1485. After the death of their footman, Helena finds herself on the radar of a witchfinder who has come to town. Whisked out of her comfortable life and into a world of terror, she is imprisoned in the dungeon with six other women. They are tortured to try and coerce their confessions, but stand firm in their innocence. The witchfinder and the town are determined to see them burn, but can they escape the stake?

Spooky season wouldn’t be the same without a new C. J. Cooke book and The Last Witch could be my favourite yet. It maintains Cooke’s reputation as the Queen of the Gothic Thriller and showcases why she counts the legendary Stephen King among her fans. Seamlessly blending folklore, fact and fiction, Cooke creates a spellbinding concoction of gothic, historical, mystery and the supernatural. The tension and horror are balanced with warmth and tenderness, creating a story that keeps you guessing, sends chills down your spine and touches your heart. It’s exquisitely written, pacy, evocative, and her meticulous research is evident in the minute details and the author’s note at the end of the book. I learned so much but what struck me most of all was how terrifyingly quickly friends and family turned on the accused and supported the witchfinder. A totally mesmerising and immersive tale, I lost myself in these pages and haven’t found my way out since. Not even after finishing the book.

Strong female characters who stand courageous in the face of adversity is a theme throughout Ms. Cooke’s books and the women in this book are some of the bravest I’ve read. While even the most minor characters are interesting, well written and compelling, her central characters really shine. They are richly drawn, fascinating and flawed women that felt as relevant and real today as in the fifteenth century. Finding out that Helena is based on a real woman just made me love this bold, brave, formidable and empathetic woman even more. And if you’re looking for a villain you can really hate, look no further than brutal witchfinder Father Kramer. Ruthless, vile and malevolent, he has a warped view of women and enjoys inflicting pain on them. This man is a prime example of the danger of power in the wrong hands and it seemed there was no escape once he had you on his radar. I was desperately rooting for his downfall and hoping justice would prevail for Helena and the others.

Eerily atmospheric, dark and menacing, this is the perfect witchy read to lose yourself in this autumn. 

Rating: ✮✮✮✮✮

Thank you Netgalley for my proof copy of this book in exchange for my honest review.

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ABOUT THE AUTHOR:

CJ Cooke, also known as Carolyn Jess-Cooke, grew up on a council estate in Belfast, Northern Ireland, at the height of the Troubles. She started writing at the age of 7 and pestered publishers for many years with manuscripts typed on her grandparents’ old typewriter and cover notes written on pages ripped from school jotters. 

Since then, she has published 16 books in 23 languages and won numerous awards, including an Eric Gregory Award from the Society of Authors, a Tyrone Guthrie Prize, a K Blundell Award, and she has won a Northern Writer’s Award three times. Her sixth novel, The Lighthouse Witches, was published in October 2021, and was an Indigo Book of the Month, an international bestseller, a New York Public Library Book of the Year and nominated for both an Edgar Award by Mystery Writers of America and an ITW Thriller Award in 2022. It is soon to be a major TV series produced by StudioCanal and The Picture Company. A Haunting in the Arctic is her latest novel and is published in October 2023.

CJ holds a BA (Hons), MA, and PhD from Queen’s University, Belfast, and commenced her academic career in 2005 as a Lecturer in Film Studies at the University of Sunderland. Shortly thereafter, she published four academic works in swift succession on Shakespearean Cinema and Film Sequels, before establishing her career as a poet, editor, and novelist.

Now Reader in Creative Writing at the University of Glasgow, CJ convenes the prestigious MLitt Creative Writing and researches ways that creative writing can help with trauma and mental health. Throughout 2013-18 she directed the Writing Motherhood project, which explored the impact of motherhood on women’s writing. She is also the founder and director of the Stay-at-Home! Literary Festival, which is dedicated to providing people with accessible, inclusive, and eco-friendly ways to access literature.

CJ has four children and lives with her family in Glasgow, Scotland.

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Thanks for reading, Bibliophiles xxxx

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Audio Books book reviews Emma's Anticipated Treasures

BOOK REVIEW: Victorian Psycho by Virginia Feito

Published February 13th, 2025 by Fourth Estate
Gothic Fiction, Historical Fiction, Horror Fiction, Suspense, Dark Comedy, Satire

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ABOUT THE BOOK:

Winifred Notty arrives at Ensor House prepared to play the perfect Victorian governess. She’ll dutifully tutor her charges, Drusilla and Andrew, tell them bedtime stories, and only joke about eating children. But the longer Winifred spends within the estate’s dreary confines and the more she learns of the perversions and pathetic preoccupations of the Pounds family, the more trouble she has sticking to her plan.

Whether creeping across the moonlit lawns in her undergarments or gently tormenting the house staff, Winifred struggles at every turn to stifle the horrid compulsions of her past until her chillingly dark imagination breaches the feeble boundary of reality on Christmas morning. Wielding her signature sardonic wit and a penchant for the gorgeously macabre, Virginia Feito returns with a vengeance in Victorian Psycho.

NOW BEING ADAPTED FOR A MAJOR FILM BY A24

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MY REVIEW:

Delightfully dark, psychotic, twisted and haunting, Victorian Psycho is a wonderfully unhinged slice of victoriana that was the perfect read for a dull autumn day. 

When the Pound family welcome their new governess to Enscor House, they have no idea what they are letting themselves in for. On the outside Winifred Nottey is the perfect Victorian governess: polite and dutifully tutors and cares for her charges. But on the inside Winifred is deranged, dark and hell-bent on revenge. And she has a plan for Christmas day that isn’t quite the jolly and merry celebration the Pounds are expecting…

From the moment I read this book’s synopsis I knew I’d love it. And as soon as I read the unnerving opening lines I was transfixed. This is Sweetpea in a corset and I loved every absurd moment  of rage, revenge, dark humour, brutal murder, a high body count, and perfect Victorian politeness. The writing is sinister and witty, the imagery evocative, and chapters short and punchy with hilarious titles. It was my first time reading a book by Virginia Feito and it won’t be my last. I laughed out loud at Winifred’s exploits, got chills as she haunted the halls by candlelight and cheered her on at every step. And that macabre finale? *chef’s kiss*

Winifred is a brilliant anti-hero. I don’t know what it says about me that I love twisted, psychotic anti-heroines so much, but I do, and Winifred has now joined ranks with Rhiannon Lewis (Sweetpea) and Kitty Collins (How To Kill Men and Get Away With It) as one of my favourite anti-heroes in literature. She’s wonderfully disturbed, witty, sharp, scathing, and I loved how she would say and do the most outrageous thing with a smile on her face. She’s also very self-aware and has an uncanny way of perfectly psycho-analysising everyone she meets, including herself. But aside from her wit, I think what I loved most about her was how she was totally remorseless and clearly enjoyed every minute of her long-planned vengeance.

The other characters are all equally well written and compelling and mostly what you’d expect in Victorian society. Although, the Pounds’ daughter, Drucilla, still had some sass that her parents were trying to curtail and force her into submission. But back to the adults, it was the stereotypical smug Victorian men who made me understand Winifred’s murderous rage. These were men who think women are unintelligent, should obey them, and be seen and not heard. Talk about an advertisement for feminism. 

Chillingly atmospheric, menacing, wicked and witty, Victorian Psycho is the perfect read for spooky season. I can’t wait for the upcoming adaptation so I can enjoy Winifred’s story all over again.

Rating: ✮✮✮✮.5

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ABOUT THE AUTHOR:

A native of Spain, Virginia Feito was raised in Madrid and Paris, and studied English and drama at Queen Mary University of London. She lives in Madrid, where she writes her fiction in English.

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Thanks for reading, Bibliophiles xxxx

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Blog Tours book reviews Emma's Anticipated Treasures

BLOG TOUR: The Boleyn Traitor by Philippa Gregory

Published October 7th, 2025 by Harper Fiction
Historical Fiction, Biographical Ficiton, Political Fiction

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ABOUT THE BOOK:

She ​survives four queens. Will she fall to a tyrant?

Jane Boleyn watches from the shadows of the Tudor court. Where nothing is more powerful than a secret – or more deadly.

As the Boleyns rise, Jane rises with them. But the king’s love is a fickle thing. And when the royal gaze turns elsewhere, Jane uses the only weapon she has: her voice.

To survive in this dazzling, dangerous world she has mastered many masks: loving wife, devoted sister, and obedient spy. Now she must step out of the shadows.

She might outlive her rivals. She might know the court’s darkest secrets. But power rests on the edge of a tyrant king’s sword. Where will it fall next?

Philippa Gregory brings the Boleyn traitor into the light in an explosive story of one woman’s survival in the treacherous heart of the Tudor court.

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MY REVIEW:

Historical storyteller extraordinaire Philippa Gregory takes on the life of Jane Boleyn, England’s most hated lady-in-waiting, in her latest epic reimagining. 

Summer, 1534. Jane is lady-in-waiting to Anne, the infamous second wife of Henry VIII. It is a tense and tumultuous time; Henry’s first wife, Catherine of Aragon, has been exiled, Henry has broken ties with the Catholic church, and Anne is pregnant for the second time, hopefully with a boy. But Jane is no newcomer to court, she’s served for many years and has learned to wear different masks to survive: wife, sister, servant, witness, liar and spy. And, as Anne’s fortunes fall, Jane’s talent for trading secrets just might be the key to her survival. But as the King becomes increasingly tyrannical, can she escape his wrath?

This is a story of family, ambition, power, tyranny and sexism that exposes the dark side of Tudor court that simmered beneath the jewels, extravagant clothes and lavish balls. Told by Jane Boleyn, this is an evocative portrayal of what life was really like at court. It was a precarious existence where your fortunes could change on the whims of the king and no one – not even his wives – were ever safe. There’s a constant sense of fear and foreboding, of trying to predict Henry’s every mood and desire. People are always trying to stay one step ahead and trade in secrets and betrayal in order to survive. It felt like a lonely existence where you can’t even trust your own spouse or family. And Jane is nothing if she isn’t a survivor. 

I’ve been a fan of Philippa Gregory ever since I first read The Other Boleyn Girl many years ago and have long been fascinated with the Tudor era, so I couldn’t wait to revisit it once again. And what a joy it was! Expertly written, meticulously researched, richly imagined and transportive, this novel is the epitome of a master at work. Ms. Gregory’s love for these characters and the time period is evident in every word and she brings history to life in such vivid detail it bursts from the pages and feels like you’re in the room with them. 

A magnificent piece of historical fiction from a legendary author, I highly recommend this book.

Rating: ✮✮✮✮.5

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

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ABOUT THE AUTHOR:

Philippa Gregory is an internationally renowned historian and novelist. She holds a PhD in eighteenth-century literature at the University of Edinburgh and is a fellow of the Royal Historical Society and the Universities of Sussex and Cardiff, an honorary research fellow at Birkbeck University of London and she was awarded a CBE in the Queen’s Birthday Honours for her services to literature and to charity. Her novels have been adapted for stage and screen and in 2023 she published her groundbreaking history book, Normal Women – 900 Years of Making History, which was also released as a podcast, a teen edition and a series for young children.

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Thanks for reading, Bibliophiles xxxx

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book reviews Emma's Anticipated Treasures Most Anticipated 2026

BOOK REVIEW: How To Get Away With Murder by Rebecca Philipson

Published March 12th, 2026 by Bantam
Thriller, Mystery, Suspense, Crime Fiction, Police Procedural

Welcome to my bookish thoughts on this astonishing debut. Thank you to Alsion at Bantam books for sending me a copy of the book in exchange for my honest review.

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ABOUT THE BOOK:

Denver Brady claims to be the most successful serial killer of our time – and that’s precisely why you’ve never heard of him.

But with the publication of his manual for aspiring serial killers, How to Get Away with Murder, that’s about to change.

When a copy is found at the home of a girl who was tragically murdered, DI Samantha Hansen is given the job of tracking down the elusive author.

As Denver and Sam’s stories unfold and converge, it becomes clear that there’s more to both than meets the eye. And once Denver’s book goes viral, the pressure to find and bring him to justice brings Sam close to breaking point.

But who is hunting whom?

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MY REVIEW:

“My name is Denver Brady, and I am a serial killer.”

With an opening line like that I just knew that I was going to LOVE this book. And I was right. Deliciously dark, sinister, suspenseful and unsettling, this is an outstanding and inventive debut thriller.

Denver Brady claims that he’s the most successful modern serial killer and has written and published a guide for aspiring killers telling them how they can get away with murder. When a copy of that book is found at the home of a young murder victim, DI Samantha Hansen is put in charge of finding the elusive order and bring him to justice. And when Denver’s book goes viral, that pressure ramps up, leaving Sam with a race against the clock to find him.

This astonishing debut is one of the best thrillers I’ve read in a long time. I loved its malevolent tone and the dark humour that was sprinkled throughout. I was pulled into the story from its opening line and it didn’t let go until the last, devouring it in under a day as it was impossible to put down. Rebecca Philipson showcases herself as a thriller author to watch with her skillful dark storytelling, clever clues, red herrings and surprising twists. It’s one of those books where you have to pay attention to every word as the clues are spread like breadcrumbs throughout the narrative but they are carefully hidden, mixed with lies or red herrings to help disguise them or throw you off the scent and very easy to miss. I admit, Ms. Philipson played me like a fiddle and I missed many of them. But I loved that as there’s nothing better than a book that surprises you with revelations that hit like a bolt out of the blue. And that ending! I am still thinking about it weeks later.

The story is told in alternating chapters by two narrators: serial killer Denver Brady and DI Samantha Hansen. I enjoyed these dual narratives and the decision to tell the killer’s perspective in the form of Denver’s manuscript. This is an original idea that helps this book stand out from other thrillers while we still get the joy of traditional narration from Sam’s chapters. I admit, I’m a sucker for unreliable narrators and chapters from the killer’s perspective, so I loved that not only did we get those but this book took them further and gives us a whole book written by a serial killer. Denver’s how-to guide is a fascinating glimpse into the psyche of a devious, dark, depraved and remorseless killer. He delighted in his murderous exploits and to be passing on his wisdom to burgeoning killers. But there is always the thought in the back of your mind when reading that we don’t know how much of this is fantasy and how much is true. Like Sam, we are looking for clues of its validity and the author’s identity. Then there is Sam who is an unreliable narrator because of her PTSD, so much so that she doesn’t trust herself some of the time. I loved that it added to the tension to never know if what we were reading was actually true or a clever game that the narrator was playing.

One of this book’s strengths is in the characters that Philipson has created, particularly her narrators. They are dynamic, charismatic, complex and nuanced characters who have so much more to them than what we see on the surface. Sam is easy to like and someone I had a lot of sympathy for as I personally know the struggles that come with breakdowns and PTSD. She was well written, expertly conveying her mental health struggles whilst also making her likeable and someone we can root for at every step. Meanwhile Denver is a cold, calculated and twisted killer who also considers himself an empath – something that feels at odds with being a serial killer. But despite his villainy, Denver is compelling and he held me in his thrall at every step. 

Heart-pounding, propulsive and addictive, this unforgettable debut is a must for every thriller lover’s 2026 TBR.

Rating: ✮✮✮✮✮

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BUY THE BOOK:

BUY FROM WATERSTONES
BUY FROM BOOKSHOP.ORG
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ABOUT THE AUTHOR:

Rebecca Jayne Philipson grew up in a mining town in County Durham, where she still lives. Educated in a small convent, she deferred her university degree to set up her own business at 21. Rebecca went on to become North East Young Entrepreneur of the Year and won the Artemis Award for inspirational women in business.

Having sold her business in 2020, Rebecca is now devoted to her writing career. She graduated from the University of East Anglia (UEA) Masters Program in 2024 and won a scholarship to Liverpool University where she will be reading for a PhD in Creative Writing.

In her spare time, Rebecca enjoys all things book-related, netball, travelling and spending time with friends and family.

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Thanks for reading, Bibliophiles xxx

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Blog Tours book reviews Emma's Anticipated Treasures

BLOG TOUR: Never Tear Us Apart by Rowan Coleman

Published July 3rd, 2025 by Hodder Books
Historical Fiction, Romance Novel, Historical Romance, Contemporary Romance, Romantic Fantasy, War Story, Time Travel Fiction, Contemporary Fantasy, Historical Fantasy

Welcome to my review of this mesmerising story. Thank you to Anne at Random Things Tours for the invitation to take part, and to Hodder Books for sending me a copy of the book in exchange for my honest review.

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ABOUT THE BOOK:

A spellbinding tale of love, strength and sacrifice from the Sunday Times bestselling author. Based on the gorgeous island of Malta in WWII, this is a story about the power of fate, and how sometimes, in order to find yourself – and to find love – you must first lose everything else. . .

Fate has brought them together. Will time tear them apart?

✨✨✨

2025

Named after a star, war correspondent Maia knows how to find the brightest stories – the tales of survival and strength – hidden amongst the dark realities of combat.

Now, travelling to Malta to visit her estranged father, with one more chance to build a relationship with her last remaining relative, she’s here to find her own story: never having found somewhere – or someone – she can call home, she’s desperate for answers that might show her where she truly belongs.

But when she arrives on the beautiful mediterranean island, she realises her long-lost family is full of more secrets than she could possibly have imagined. . .

✨✨✨

1942

Maia wakes up to find herself on an island under siege, a city in ruins – and knows she must have been sent here for a reason.

Who has she been sent to save? Or is it Maia herself that needs saving? And just when she’s finally found what she’s been seeking . . . will time separate them forever?


Perfect for fans of Lucinda Riley, Santa Montefiore and Dinah Jefferies.

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MY REVIEW:

Breathtaking, moving and unforgettable, Never Tear Us Apart is a truly special book that has stolen a piece of my heart forever.  A dual timeslip novel, it follows war correspondent Maia Borg, who we first meet in 2025 when she is visiting Malta, the place her estranged father, David, was born. It is her first time here but Maia soon finds that she feels like she’s coming home. But one day while visiting a temple, Maia faints and wakes in an unfamiliar place. This place is dark, noisy and airless. And she quickly realises she is in a shelter while bombs fall around them. It is 1942 and Malta is under siege from the Nazis and their allies. At first she thinks it’s a dream or that her PTSD is giving her hallucinations. But over time, as she takes multiple trips between timelines, Maia starts to believe that her presence in both places is real. But why? What has she been sent back for? As she makes friends and begins to fall in love, Maia realises she has finally found a place she truly belongs. But just as that happens, something threatens to take it all away…

Rowan Coleman is an author whose books are on my autoread list and I’ve always had a soft spot for her historical fiction stories most of all. So I couldn’t wait to read this book. I had high hopes but was unprepared for the beauty of this book and the emotional rollercoaster I was about to embark on. This book really should come with a warning! Exquisitely written, cleverly choreographed and filled with vivacious characters, you can feel how much of Rowan’s heart and soul has been poured into this story. She made Malta come alive on these pages, transporting me to a place that has been on my bucket list for decades. I felt like I was taking every step and feeling every emotion alongside Maia. As a fan of history and historical fiction, I appreciated Rowan’s meticulous research and loved all of the history in this story. It was fascinating and I love how she allowed us to learn alongside Maia and experience her joy at understanding more about this country and her heritage. It has definitely made me even more eager to pay a visit and see these places for myself.

This book has a bit of everything: history, romance, drama, mystery and sci-fi, all merged together in perfect harmony to create a story I never wanted to end. I also didn’t want to leave these wonderful characters behind. I was so invested in their lives and was rooting for Maia at every step. I was on the edge of my seat, especially as we got to the final third of the book and the stakes got even higher. The sense of apprehension, urgency, tension and foreboding was palpable, leaping from the pages and setting my nerves on edge. I couldn’t have put this book down even if my house had been on fire. 

A mesmerising story that demands to be read, I highly recommend this book.

Rating: ✮✮✮✮✮

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ABOUT THE AUTHOR:

Rowan Coleman is the internationally bestselling and award winning author and screenwriter of sixteen novels including THE MEMORY BOOK, THE SUMMER OF IMPOSSIBLE THINGS and THE GIRL AT THE WINDOW.

A life long Bronte fan, under the Bronte inspired pen name Bella Ellis, Rowan also writes the Bronte Mysteries – a carefully researched series of novels that imagine that before they were were famous the Bronte Sisters were amateur detectives. THE VANISHED BRIDE and THE DIABOLICAL BONES and The RED MONARCH are out now.

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BUY THE BOOK:

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Thanks for reading, Bibliophiles xxxx

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