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…?
“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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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?
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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. . .
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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.
Published October 23rd, 2025 by Simon & Schuster UK Romance Novel, Contemporary Romance, Romcom, Holiday Fiction, Festive Fiction
Welcome to my stop on the blog tour for this heartwarming festive read. Thank you to SJV and Books and the City 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:
even people, four days and a snowy Christmas on board a luxury sleeper train. This festive season getting away from it all takes on a new meaning…
The Yorkshire Belle is a glamorous steam train all decked out for an escapist festive getaway. It is not supposed to be where a group of people, all trying to get to their destinations for the holidays, will spend their Christmas.
Seven people, each with their own hopes and dreams, secrets and sorrows, board the train as strangers, but as the snow keeps falling and they realise they are going nowhere fast, they are forced to slow down and embrace the present.
This Christmas on board the Yorkshire Belle, will the friendships they make change their lives forever?
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MY REVIEW:
Seven strangers are stranded during a snowstorm and end up taking refuge on The Yorkshire Belle, a luxury steam train that had been prepped for the ultimate festive getaway. Unable to reach the nearest village – let alone their destinations – the group spend four days on board the train slowly forging bonds of friendship. But will any of them be the same people that stepped on board when the snow melts and they head back to reality?
A quintessential cosy Christmas read that hits all the right notes, this was a marvellous start to my festive reading. Like hot chocolate by the fire on a cold day, it warmed me from the inside out and gave me a warm glow. Told with Ms. Johnson’s signature warmth and wit, delightful characters and a hearty dash or peril, heartache and turmoil, it takes you on an emotional but uplifting journey. After all, this may be a Christmas tale, but it doesn’t mean that life comes up wrapped neatly in a bow. Life is dark, messy, chaotic, emotional and full of jagged edges and Milly balances these things with humour, warmth, love, hope and friendship.
The ‘trapped in a snowstorm’ trope has been done time and again, but this felt like an original take on a familiar trope that happens to also be one of my favourites. And it’s a stroke of genius. I loved this setting. It’s claustrophobic, precarious and turbulent, but also opulent, cosy, jovial and full of camaraderie. There is also a sense of nostalgia as their phones don’t work and they are cut off from the outside world apart from one radio station that keeps them updated on the storm.
One of the things I love most about Milly’s books is the characters she creates. They are always so relatable, real and recognisable, feeling like she’s plucked your neighbour from their house or someone from the street and put them in a book. These seven characters were some of my favourites she’s created. I loved that they were strangers when they first got on the train – with the exception of married couple Frank and Grace – that they forge strong bonds of friendship over the course of their claustrophobic few days together that last beyond their Christmas on The Yorkshire Belle. I loved this eclectic septet, especially Jane and Elizabeth. And I had a lot of empathy for Frank and Grace, especially as we learned more about them.
A heartfelt and uplifting story that gave me all the festive feels, I highly recommend this book.
Rating: ✮✮✮✮✰
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ABOUT THE AUTHOR:
Milly Johnson was born, raised and still lives in Barnsley, South Yorkshire. She is the author of 23 novels, 4 short story ebooks, a book of poetry and a Quick Reads Novella (‘The Little Dreams of Lara Cliffe’) and was an erstwhile leading copywriter for the greetings card industry. She is also a poet, a professional joke-writer, a newspaper columnist and a seasoned after dinner speaker.
She won the RoNA for Best Romantic Comedy Novel of 2014 and 2016, the Yorkshire Society award for Arts and Culture 2015, the Romantic Novelist Association Outstanding Achievement award in 2020, the Goldsboro Books Contemporary Romantic Novel Award in 2021 and the Richard Whiteley Award for Inspiration to the County of Yorkshire in 2022.
She writes about love, life, friendships and the importance of community spirit. Her books champion women, their strength and resilience and celebrate her beloved Yorkshire.
Published January 30th, 2025 by W&N Gothic Fiction, Horror Fiction, Fairy Tale, Coming-of-Age Fiction, Gay Fiction
Welcome to my review of this deliciously dark gothic horror.
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ABOUT THE BOOK:
A FOLK TALE. A HORROR STORY. A LOVE STORY. AN ENCHANTMENT.
Margot and Mama have lived by the forest since Margot can remember. When Margot isn’t at school, they spend quiet days together in their cottage, waiting for strangers to knock on their door. Strays, Mama calls them. Mama loves the strays. She feeds them wine, keeps them warm. Then she satisfies her burning appetite by picking apart their bodies.
But Mama’s want is stronger than her hunger sometimes, and when a white-toothed stray named Eden turns up in the heart of a snowstorm, little Margot must confront the shifting dynamics of her family, untangle her own desires and make a bid for freedom.
With this tender coming-of-age tale, debut novelist Lucy Rose explores how women swallow their anger, desire and animal instincts – and wrings the relationship between mother and daughter until blood drips from it.
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MY REVIEW:
“On my fourth birthday, I plucked six severed fingers from the shower drain.”
And with that nightmarish opening, The Lamb sets the tone for what’s about to come. Deliciously dark, fearsome, murderous and unsettling, this hypnotic gothic horror is a debut you won’t forget.
Margot lives with her Mama in a secluded cottage by the forest. They live off the land and take in strangers who knock at their door looking for help. Mama calls them ‘strays’ and offers them assistance, wine, food and warmth. After all, they need to be happy to taste good…
It’s an isolated life full of rules set by her domineering mother. But things change when a stray named Eden knocks on the door. Unlike the others Eden is charismatic and enchanting and Mama’s desire proves stronger than her hunger. Eden is allowed to live and stay with them at the cottage. As Margot tries to adjust to the new dynamics at home, she is also grappling with changes within herself as she develops her first crush, begins to question the things that Mama has taught her, and struggles with the weight of their deadly secrets.
What a phenomenal debut! Atmospheric, sinister and savage but also tender and deeply felt, this unforgettable story gets under your skin. Lucy Rose showcases herself as a talent to be watched with this disturbing folkloric tale that feels like a modern Grimms’ fairytale. Blood drips from every word as with poetic, evocative and beguiling prose Rose pulls you deep inside Margot’s grim world. It is both deeply human and monstrously inhuman, exploring themes of motherhood, dysfunctional family dynamics, female rage, desire, control, trauma, morality and empowerment alongside grisly scenes of murder and cannibalism.
The characters are richly drawn, relatable and real, and Margot is a powerful narrator. A young girl on the cusp of womanhood, she has known nothing but the bleak and horrifying existence her mother has forced her to live. A life full of loneliness, fear and secrets. My heart broke for her. I wanted to jump into the book and rescue her from that life and show her happiness and joy. Mama is a truly terrifying character. In some ways she feels pathetic, benign and unassuming. But we know she’s a cruel woman capable of brutal things who terrorises her daughter. And Eden is no better. When she arrived I initially had hope that she might rescue Margot, though I really should have known better than to expect a happy ending. After all, this fairytale is Grimm not Disney.
Menacing, depraved, unnerving and original, this is an absolute must read and one of my top books this year.
Rating: ✮✮✮✮✮
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ABOUT THE AUTHOR:
Cumbrian dwelling in the North East. Writer of folktales and fables.
Lucy Rose’s fiction and non-fiction have been published by Dread Central, Mslexia, The Observer, The Nerd Daily and more, and her films have visited BAFTA- and Oscar-qualifying film festivals internationally. She is also a Forbes 30 Under 30 Europe class of 2025.
Lucy’s Sunday Times Bestselling debut novel, The Lamb, is published by Weidenfeld & Nicolson in the UK and HarperCollins in the US. Lucy lives on the north-east coast of England with her black cat, Figgy, and is currently working on her next story.
October is almost here. It’s time for reading under fuzzy blanets, drinking hot chocolate and eating parkin. It’s also time for my list of most anticipated October releases. One of the books I’m excited for is my most anticipated book of the year:House of Splinters by L aura Purcell. I can not wait to finally read this book!
Here are the xx books out in October that I’m most anticipating:
Medlock by S. G. Hartnell
Published October 2nd by Viper Gothic Fiction, Thriller, Suspense, Horror Fiction
BOOK DESCRIPTION: ‘Macabre and frightening’ PAULA HAWKINS ‘Twisted, exhilarating and very, very creepy’ LOUISE CANDLISH ‘Will keep you reading well into the night and awake well beyond that’ CATHERINE COOPER
1978. Mrs. Medlock is the dutiful housekeeper at Marwood Manor. One of the few remaining staff, she protects a dying aristocratic order, serving the Lord and Lady and caring for their sickly young son.
For over the past twenty years, Mrs. Medlock has become the keeper of secrets. Secrets of the family. Secrets of her own. Secrets that may be found in the manor’s walled garden, out of sight but not forgotten.
When a distant relative, Mary, arrives at the property in need of a place to live and with a determination to explore, Mrs. Medlock fears the secrets of Marwood are no longer safe. And digging up the past may have deadly consequences for them all . . .
Published October 2nd by Viper Thriller, Mystery, Suspense, Psychological Thriller
BOOK DESCRIPTION: One girl escaped. But the forest took another…
A young girl wanders into the small town of Koraha, her hands stained with blood. She won’t speak, but her path is tracked through New Zealand’s unforgiving wilderness to a cabin – and the scene of a double murder.
The townsfolk know this cabin; it has a violent history. Twenty years ago, another girl was forced to flee, leaving her siblings and father behind. But now that her family’s secrets have led to more victims, Effie has no choice but to return to the bush and face the truth of what happened there… and why she ran.
Flooded with atmosphere and full of twists, The Vanishing Place is perfect for readers of Lucy Clarke and Sarah Pearse.
Published October 2nd by Harvill Secker Literary Fiction, Translated Fiction
BOOK DESCRIPTION: In a peaceful village in the countryside, far from the bustling heart of Seoul, lies a book lovers’ paradise. With its wafts of delicious food and book-filled shelves, Soyangri Book Kitchen is managed by its plucky proprietor Yoojin. Her aim? To create a sanctuary for weary souls like herself.
But the book kitchen is more than just a place to eat or read – it’s a place which offers its guests a true escape, not just inside the pages of its many books, but in the warm embrace of an overnight bookstay.
Over one year, seven people at a crossroads in their lives find their way to Yoojin’s book kitchen. Among them are Da-in, a singer grappling with an identity crisis, Sohee, a promising lawyer confronted with a daunting medical diagnosis, and Soohyuk, a young musical director whose dreams have been stifled.
As they arrive in Soyangri, each of them will find their life subtly transformed by the magic of its books and the kindness of its people.
Published October 7th by Gollancz Fairy Tale, Fantasy Fiction, Contemporary Fantasy, Thriller
BOOK DESCRIPTION: YOU’RE HERE BECAUSE OF A STORY . . .
It starts with a class in an old movie theatre. Folklore 517: Local Legends and Urban Myths, taught by a woman called the Professor.
Most students believe the Professor’s stories are just fiction, but Holland St. James has always been convinced that magic is real.
Her search for the truth leads her to a dazzling new world, a deadly ultimatum hidden at the heart of Los Angeles, and into the path of a magnetic stranger who claims he’s been sent to save her life.
But everyone in this intoxicating new world is lying to her, even this stranger. And if she can’t figure out whom to trust, her magical reality could change from a Hollywood dream to a nightmare.
Alchemy of Secrets is the spectacular new novel from global phenomenon Stephanie Garber, the multimillion-copy bestselling author of the Caraval and Once Upon a Broken Heart series. Fusing spellbinding Hollywood secrets with a cinematic mystery, it will transport you into another world.
Published October 7th by HQ Magical Realism, Domestic Fiction, Contemporary Romance
BOOK DESCRIPTION: The Midnight Library meets Ashley Poston, in an emotional, heartwarming debut romantic novel, where an engaged couple stumble upon a magical movie theatre that plays formative memories from their lives, showing secrets they both have been keeping from each other.
……….
What if the love of your life could watch the story of your past?
At the end of a fog-covered alley, glitters a glamorous cinema. It’s nearly impossible to find. When Ellie and her fiancé, Drake, stumble upon it during a late-night walk, they’re shocked to discover what’s playing inside the red-velvet auditorium: their formative memories.
Drake fears what the cinema might reveal, but eventually gives in when Ellie insists they return for more viewings. She’s haunted by a night from her past that she doesn’t fully remember. This is her opportunity to piece the story back together. But as the memories displayed on screen inch closer to the present, they realize they’re both keeping secrets from each other.
With their wedding on the horizon, Ellie and Drake must decide if seeing their pasts changes their plans for a future together.
Filled with warmth, hope, and a dash of magic, The Second Chance Cinema is both an enchanting escape and a thought-provoking examination of how our memories shape who we are.
Published October 7th by Harper Collins UK Historical Fiction, Biographical Fiction, Political Ficiton
BOOK DESCRIPTION: 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.
Published October 7th by HQ Romantic Fantasy, Romance Novel, Fantasy Fiction, Paranormal Romance, Adventure Fiction, New Adult Ficiton
BOOK DESCRIPTION: Old Magic. New power. A contest to die for.
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Sophia DeWinter has been bound to her cruel uncle, the Collector since he exacted a blood bond from her as a child. When she learns of Killmarth, an elite academy for magic wielders outside of the Collector’s control, she grabs it as her only chance to break free.
Each hopeful must prove their worth by competing in brutal and deadly challenges – the Ordeals. And that’s just the beginning, because hopefuls are also being viciously picked off one-by-one. To survive, Sophia could team up with another challenger. Perhaps the powerful wielder Alden Locke. But how to identify an ally from a rival? Or even a murderer?
In her haste to escape the Collector’s power over her, has Sophia risked everything only to run from the flames and into the fire?
Published October 7th by Allison & Busby Gothic Fiction, Thriller, Historical Fiction, Horror Fiction
BOOK DESCRIPTION: 1953. Mei’s ‘gift’ of speaking to ghosts is one that she has endeavoured to bury while fighting to survive as a refugee in post-war, post-revolution Hong Kong. When former silent film star Holly Zhang invites Mei to the infamous Maidenhair House, the startling summons revives her link to the man who destroyed her life. During six séances over six nights, each night a medium will be asked to leave until only one remains as the recipient of a staggering reward, but the only prize Mei wants is revenge.
Years later, that shocking night in the labyrinthine mansion has become an urban legend, dismissed by the police at the time as a collective hallucination. Mei must uncover the truth of what really happened and see if the ghosts she has carried can finally be laid to rest.
Published October 9th by Raven Gothic Fiction, Historical Fiction, Mystery, Suspense, Horror Fiction, Ghost Story
BOOK DESCRIPTION: Not every house is a home…
Belinda Bainbridge has spent her life in the shadow of her anxious mother, so when her father-in-law dies at The Bridge, his remote ancestral seat, she is secretly thrilled. His death means she, her husband Wilfred and their children can relocate and finally begin to create their own happy home together: born a merchant’s daughter, she will now be lady of the manor.
But their new home quickly proves far from ideal. The garden is a wilderness, the estate is struggling financially, there are whispers about the mysterious death of a servant many years before while their young son, Freddy, seems unusually fixated on the strange wooden figures – so-called ‘silent companions’ – that were once owned by his ancestors.
When Wilfred’s charismatic brother, Nathan, arrives unexpectedly from abroad, bringing a very different account of the family’s past, Belinda begins to question what her husband has told her. What really lies behind the sad history of the house?
And are Belinda’s children truly safe here?
The outstanding new haunted house story from Sunday Times bestseller and multi award winner, Laura Purcell, who is credited for reigniting readers’ passion for classic gothic tales for a new audience.
Published October 9th by Harper Fiction Historical Fiction, Thriller, Horror Fiction, Supernatural Fiction
BOOK DESCRIPTION: 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…?
Published October 9th by Sphere Gothic Ficiton, Historical Ficiton, Horror Ficiton
BOOK DESCRIPTION: Obsession is a sickness For which there is no cure.
Suffolk, 1847. Charles Keller needs to escape London, so he leaps when he is offered a position as surgeon at a country infirmary for the poor. But St Cross is not as he expected, and he soon finds himself reflecting on a promise he once made. A promise to do no harm.
Some promises are made to be broken.
Suffolk, 2023. Liam has brought his family to an old country house for a holiday, a former infirmary called St Cross. He can’t tell them why they are really here, but he hopes that, after this, he can start again. No more lies, no more secrets. But what Liam doesn’t know is that the house is keeping secrets of its own.
And some secrets are so dark, they should never be brought to light.
Published October 9th by Harper Collins UK Ronance Novel, Contemporary Romance, Domestic Fiction, Holiday Fiction, Festive Fiction
BOOK DESCRIPTION: Is a fake boyfriend really just for Christmas?
One fake romance. One magical Christmas. One chance to fall in love.
Laura was all set for a quiet solo Christmas – just her, a bottle of wine, and flat-sitting for a stranger. But when the stranger’s parents mistake her for his mystery girlfriend, she’s swept off to the snowy Scottish Highlands with Callum and his whole family.
Between the cosy sleeper train, charming pubs and breathtaking views, this could be the no-strings-attached Christmas of Laura’s dreams.
But stranger Callum is hot, hilarious and their ‘fake’ chemistry is off the charts.
So is this just a Christmas fling? Or the start of something more?
Published October 9th by Hodder & Stoughton Romance Novel, Holiday Fiction, Festive Fiction
BOOK DESCRIPTION: After Mirren Sutherland finds a priceless antique book in her great aunt’s attic, she is contacted by Jamie McPherson, who is hopeful she might be able to find another one- a book lost in his own house. He doesn’t even know the name of it, only that it is so valuable it could potentially save the entire estate from ruin, and time is running out.
On arriving at Jamie’s vast crumbling home in the highlands of Scotland (on the family train, no less), Mirren meets rival bookseller Theo Palliser, whose motives are not remotely honourable; and sets out on the quest.
Jamie’s grandfather was a book collector, a philanthropist, a hoarder and a great lover of puzzles and treasure hunts – as the snow falls in the highlands, cutting off the outside world, the three of them, plus Maggie, the estate manager, do their best to uncover the last hope of the MacPherson clan before the year ends: following clues, discovering the secrets of the house and forming and breaking alliances in a race against time and the weather.
Caught between devastatingly attractive and immoral Theo, and the distracted and worried Jamie, will Mirren find the book … and lose her heart?
Published October 9th by Zaffre Contemporary Romance
BOOK DESCRIPTION: Ingrid Dahl is a cheerful, twenty-nine-year-old librarian living in the cosy mountain town of Ridgetop. She and her boyfriend since college, Cory, have never discussed marriage; they’re perfectly happy with the way things are. But when Ingrid’s sister announces her engagement to a woman she’s only been dating for two years, Ingrid and Cory suddenly feel pressured to start thinking about the inevitable: marriage and kids.
The thing is, neither of them has ever been with anyone else. Shouldn’t they sow their oats before settling down?
They make the unorthodox decision to separate for a month to date other people, assuming that at the end of it, they’ll reunite and start planning their nuptials. And Ingrid has the perfect man in mind for this relationship sabbatical–Macon Nowakowski, her cantankerous and completely adorable coworker for whom she’s had a crush for years.
But of course the best laid plans often go awry, and when Ingrid and Cory meet at the end of the month to resume next steps in their relationship, it’s clear neither of them is ready to get back together…
Published Octobter 16th by Bantam Mystery, Thriller, Cozy Mystery, Police Procedural, Humorous Ficiton
BOOK DESCRIPTION: As the snow falls, the haunting begins… Get ready for the most gripping cosy murder mystery debut of the year.
‘A delightfully engaging debut, starring one of the most amusing and unusual sleuths I’ve come across. Best enjoyed with a nice glass of sherry!’ Tess Gerritsen
A grand country estate. On her last day as a Detective, Midge McGowan is given the retirement present from hell: a ticket to take part in a haunted house tour. She’ll have to spend the weekend before Christmas ghost-hunting in an isolated mansion with a group of misfits, including a know-it-all paranormal investigator and a has-been pop star.
An impossible crime. It isn’t long before the tour starts to spiral out of control. Midge and the guests see an unsettling figure walking the grounds late at night. Then the unthinkable happens – someone is murdered in a room that’s been locked from the inside.
A Christmas they might not survive. Heavy snow cuts them off from help, the house’s own dark secrets begin to surface, and Midge can’t shake the creeping sense that they are walking into a nightmare. Could a ghost really be responsible, or is the culprit one of the guests?
Published October 16th by Tor Romance Novel, Fantasy Fiction, Romantic Fantasy, Dystopian Fiction
BOOK DESCRIPTION: One man could offer her the world. The other will help her destroy it . . .
Born to an Elite family, Emeline has been marked as different from birth and by a society that judges all its citizens on their ability to conform.
Emeline only has one role open to her: to become a mother. Offered a pro-creation contract with Collin, a member of the Illum – the governing body of the Elite – Emeline finds herself increasingly torn between her growing complicated feelings for her proposed mate, and another man who lives on the margins of their society who challenges her ideals.
When the marginalized rise up in rebellion, Emeline begins to question everything she has ever believed in.
Best Wishes from the Full Moon Coffee Shop by Mai Mochizuki
Published October 16th by Brazen Fairy Tale, Magical Realism, Holiday Fiction, Festive Ficiton, Translated Fiction
BOOK DESCRIPTION: Welcome back to the Full Moon Coffee Shop. What do you really want this Christmas?
At the Full Moon Coffee Shop, we don’t take your order. Instead, we bring you desserts and drinks – selected just for you.
In Japanese myth, cats are symbols of good luck. If you are kind to them, they’ll return the favour one day. And if you are kind to the right cat, you might find yourself invited to a celestial café. The Full Moon Coffee Shop normally materialises on the night of the full moon – with one exception every year. This Christmas, the sagacious cats open their doors once more to all lost souls in need of a guiding light.
The season’s first customer, Satomi, catches wind of her boyfriend’s plan to propose on Christmas Eve, and feels torn between love and success. Her disaffected intern, Koyuki, has her own reasons for dreading the day, ever since her father died in a car accident. And Junko’s estranged father has fallen gravely ill, driving her to visit home after decades away.
In this festive follow-up to the cosy classic, the customers of the Full Moon Coffee Shop stand at a wintry crossroads in their lives. With the help of some feline divinations, they will find the courage to follow their stars into the new year.
Published October 16th by Sphere Gothic Fiction, Contemporary Horror, Short Stories Collection
BOOK DESCRIPTION: FROM THE CREATORS OF THE HAUNTING SEASONAND THE WINTER SPIRITS COMES A BRAND NEW COLLECTION OF GHOSTLY TALES
Featuring new and original stories from: Michelle Paver Stacey Halls Bridget Collins Imogen Hermes Gowar Kiran Millwood Hargrave Andrew Michael Hurley Jess Kidd Natasha Pulley Elizabeth Macneal Susan Stokes-Chapman Laura Shepherd-Robinson Stuart Turton Catriona Ward
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There is something peculiar about the hour after midnight.
It is the time when darkness reigns.
And strange things roam the earth.
In this dazzling collection of original haunted tales, thirteen bestselling and much-loved authors bring the old superstition of the witching hour to new and vivid life.
Transporting you from the smog of London to the freezing mists of Svalbard, from an Irish town riddled with rumour to a sinister English boarding school, these thirteen stories will serve as your spinetingling companion to the long hours of winter.
So curl up, light a candle, and wait for the clock to strike . . .
Published October 21st by Headline Thriller, Suspense, Crime Fiction, Horror Fiction, Psychological Ficiton
BOOK DESCRIPTION: Bookish dreamer Arthur Oakes is a student at Rackham College, Maine, renowned for its frosty winters and beautiful buildings.
But his idyll – and burgeoning romance with Gwen Underfoot – is shattered when local drug dealers force him into a terrible crime: stealing rare and valuable books from the exceptional college library.
Trapped and desperate, Arthur turns to his closest friends for help: the wealthy, irrepressible Colin Wren; brave, beautiful Allison Shiner; the battling twins Donna and Donovan McBride; and brainy, bold Gwen. Together they dream up an impossible, fantastical scheme that they scarcely imagine will work: to summon the fabled dragon King Sorrow to kill those tormenting Arthur.
But the six stumble backwards into a deadly bargain – they soon learn they must choose a new sacrifice for King Sorrow each year or one of them will become his next victim. Unleashing consequences they can neither predict nor control, this promise will, over the course of four decades, shape and endanger their lives in ways they could never expect.
Published October 23rd by Tor Psychological Thriller, Satire, Supernatural Fiction
BOOK DESCRIPTION: From the Sunday Times and New York Times bestseller Olivie Blake, this is a powerful and darkly fun novel about ambition, lust and eating your fill – as wealthy moms and sorority girls practice a sinister new wellness trend . . .
Good girls deserve a treat.
The House is the most exclusive sorority on campus, and all its alumni are beautiful, high-achieving and respected.
After a freshman year she would rather forget, sophomore Nina Kaur knows being accepted into The House is the first step to the brightest possible future. The House will surely ease her fears of failure and protect her from those who see a young woman on her own as prey.
Meanwhile, adjunct professor Dr Sloane Hartley is struggling. After eighteen months at home with her newborn daughter, Sloane’s clothes don’t fit right; her girl-dad husband isn’t as present as he thinks he is; and even the few hours a day she’s apart from her child fill her psyche with paralyzing ennui. When invited to be The House’s academic liaison, Sloane enviously drinks in a level of collective perfection that Sloane desperately craves.
As Nina and Sloane each get drawn deeper into the arcane rituals of the sisterhood, they learn that living well comes with bloody costs. And when they are finally invited to the table, they will have to decide just how much they can stomach in the name of solidarity and power.
Published October 23rd by Orenda Mystery, Suspense, Humorous Ficiton, Translated Fiction
BOOK DESCRIPTION: A desperate father’s Christmas promise sparks a wild Finnish road trip involving an antique sofa, unexpected passengers and danger … A darkly humorous and warmly touching suspense novel about friendship, love and death, The Winter Job flies at 120 kilometres an hour straight into the darkest heart of a Finnish winter night.
The NEW standalone darkly funny, poignant and uber-tense thriller from ‘The funniest writer in Europe’ (The Times)
Fargo meets Carl Hiassen and Fredrik Backman … via the Coen Brothers
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Sofas, secrets and a snowbound road to trouble…
Helsinki, 1982. Recently divorced postal worker Ilmari Nieminen has promised his daughter a piano for Christmas, but with six days to go – and no money – he’s desperate.
A last-minute job offers a solution: transport a valuable antique sofa to Kilpisjärvi, the northernmost town in Finland.
With the sofa secured in the back of his van, Ilmari stops at a gas station, and an old friend turns up, offering to fix his faulty wipers, on the condition that he tags along. Soon after, a persistent Saab 96 appears in the rearview mirror. And then a bright-yellow Lada.
That’s when Ilmari realises that he is transporting something truly special.
And that’s when Ilmari realises he might be in serious trouble…
A darkly funny and unexpectedly moving thriller about friendship, love and death – The Winter Job tears through the frozen landscape of northern Finland in a beat-up van with bad steering, worse timing, and everything to lose…
Published October 23rd by Orenda Crime Fiction, Mystery, Police Procedural, Hardboiled Fiction, Icelandic Noir, Translated Fiction
BOOK DESCRIPTION: When the chief suspect in the disappearance of Áróra’s sister is found dead, and Áróra’s new financial investigation leads to the street where her sister was last seen, she is drawn into a shocking case that threatens everything … The unmissable finale to the chilling, twisty, award-winning series…
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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.
Gone Before Goodbye by Reese Witherspoon and Harlan Coben
Published October 23rd by Century Thriller, Mystery, Suspense, Crime Fiction, Psychological Thriller, Medical Thriller, Adventure Ficiton
BOOK DESCRIPTION: An unforgettable collaboration between an award-winning actress Reese Witherspoon and the and #1 international bestselling writer Harlan Coben.
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Maggie McCabe is on the brink. A highly skilled and renowned army combat surgeon, she has always lived life at the edge.
But now, after a devastating series of personal tragedies, Maggie is thrown a lifeline by a former colleague, an elite surgeon whose anonymous clientele demand the best care money can buy – as well as absolute discretion.
Halfway across the globe, one of the world’s most mysterious men requires unconventional medical assistance. Desperate, and one of the few surgeons in the world skilled enough to take this job, Maggie enters his realm of unspeakable opulence and fulfils her end of the agreement.
But when the patient suddenly disappears while still under her care, Maggie must become a fugitive herself – or she will be the next one who is . . . Gone Before Goodbye.
Published October 23rd by Hanover Square Press Historical Fiction, Gothic Ficiton, Domestic Fiction
BOOK DESCRIPTION: You are cordially invited to the Secret Book Society…
London, 1895: Trapped by oppressive marriages and societal expectations, three women receive a mysterious invitation to an afternoon tea at the home of the reclusive Lady Duxbury. Beneath the genteel facade of the gathering lies a secret book club—a sanctuary where they can discover freedom, sisterhood, and the courage to rewrite their stories.
Eleanor Clarke, a devoted mother suffocating under the tyranny of her husband. Rose Wharton, a transplanted American dollar princess struggling to fit the mold of an aristocratic wife. Lavinia Cavendish, an artistic young woman haunted by a dangerous family secret. All are drawn to the enigmatic Lady Duxbury, a thrice-widowed countess whose husbands’ untimely deaths have sparked whispers of murder.
As the women form deep, heartwarming friendships, they uncover secrets about their marriages, their pasts, and the risks they face. Their courage is their only weapon in the oppressive world that has kept them silent, but when secrets are deadly, one misstep could cost them everything.
Published October 23rd by Simon & Schuster UK Romance Novel, Contemporary Romance, Holiday Ficion, Festive Fiction
BOOK DESCRIPTION: Seven people, four days and a snowy Christmas on board a luxury sleeper train. This festive season getting away from it all takes on a new meaning…
The Yorkshire Belle is a glamorous steam train all decked out for an escapist festive getaway. It is not supposed to be where a group of people, all trying to get to their destinations for the holidays, will spend their Christmas.
Seven people, each with their own hopes and dreams, secrets and sorrows, board the train as strangers, but as the snow keeps falling and they realise they are going nowhere fast, they are forced to slow down and embrace the present.
This Christmas on board the Yorkshire Belle, will the friendships they make change their lives forever?
Published October 23rd by HQ Romance Novel, Contemporary Romance, Domestic Fiction, Holiday Fiction, Festive Fiction
BOOK DESCRIPTION: This Christmas, the Balfour family will have more secrets to unwrap than presents
Becky is stranded at the airport, so when she bumps into her brother’s best friend, Will, and he suggests they drive home together, Becky reluctantly agrees. For the first time, Becky is dreading Christmas, and only Will knows why. Can she trust him to keep her secret?
Her twin sister Rosie married Declan after a whirlwind romance, and now the cracks are starting to appear. Rosie and Declan have agreed to hide their problems from her family, but Rosie’s insecurities are growing. Will this Christmas bring them closer or drive them apart?
Hayley can’t wait for her first Balfour family Christmas with Jamie. The Balfour Christmas traditions sound wonderful, but she’s worried about her place in this close-knit family. Will there be room for her too? And how will they react to the secret she and Jamie have been keeping?
Despite everyone’s best intentions, all the chaos and confusion could derail their normally happy holidays. Can they tell each other the truth in time to enjoy a perfect family Christmas?
Published Octobe 28th by Del Rey Romance Novel, Magical Realism, Historical Fiction, Romantic Fantasty, Time Travel Ficiton
BOOK DESCRIPTION: Journey to a magical hotel in the Swiss Alps in this spellbinding historical romance blending mystery, art, romance and time travel. _________________________________ BEHIND EVERY DOOR, A SECOND CHANCE ‘Have you travelled a long way?’ she asked carefully. A smile twitched at the corner of his mouth. ‘Well, yes,” he said slowly. ‘Yes, you could say that. But it was worth the wait.’
London, 2015
When reclusive art appraiser Eve Shaw shakes the hand of a silver-haired gentleman in her London office, the warmth of his palm sends a spark through her.
His name is Max Everly – curiously, the same name as Eve’s favourite composer, born one hundred sixteen years prior. And she can’t shake the feeling that she’s held his hand before . . . but where, and when?
The White Octopus Hotel, 1935
Decades earlier, high in the snowy Swiss Alps, Eve and a young Max Everly wander the winding halls of the grand belle epoque White Octopus Hotel, lost in time.
Each of them has been through the trenches – Eve in a family accident and Max on the battlefields of the Great War – but for an impossible moment, love and healing are just a room away . . . if only they have the courage to step through the door.
Published October 28th by Verve Gothic Fiction, Historical Fiction, LGBT Literature
BOOK DESCRIPTION: ** A creeping story of sibling rivalry and dangerous obsession from the multi-award nominated author of Sunburn **
January 1965. The orphaned O’Leary siblings – Tom, Jack, Anna and Peggy – arrive in the village of Ballycrea, tight-lipped about their troubled past and desperate for a fresh start.
After being met with suspicion from most of the locals, the family are thrilled when they’re taken under the wing of their well-respected neighbours, Bill and Betty Nevan, who offer them work, companionship and an opportunity to fit in.
But for one of the O’Learys, this new friendship sparks an intense attachment that makes the dynamic dangerous for all. It’s difficult to bury secrets, but almost impossible to bury feelings…
Crackling with suspense, Heap Earth Upon It revisits the rural Ireland of Howarth’s critically acclaimed debut and delves into claustrophobic relationships and tangled identities, leaving you wondering who to trust until the very last page. It combines the emotional intensity and slow-burn sapphic obsession of Julia Armfield’s Our Wives Under the Sea and Yael van der Wouden’s The Safekeep with the unsettling gothic undertones of Daphne du Maurier’s Rebecca and Shirley Jackson’s fiction.
Published October 30th by Tor Fantasy Fiction, Historical Fantasy, High Fantasy, Dark Fantasy, Fairy Tale
BOOK DESCRIPTION: A legend. A lie. A love story.
A lady-knight whose legend built a nation meets a retiring historian in awe of her fame. He’s sent back through time to make sure she plays her part . . . even if it breaks his heart.
Sir Una Everlasting was Dominion’s greatest hero: the orphaned girl who became a knight, who died for queen and country. Her legend lives on in songs and stories, in children’s books and recruiting posters – but her life as it truly happened has been forgotten. Centuries later, Owen Mallory – failed soldier, struggling scholar – falls in love with the tale of Una Everlasting. Her story takes him to war, to the archives, and then into the past itself. Una and Owen are tangled together in time, bound to retell the same story over and over again, no matter what it costs. But that story always ends the same way.
If they want to rewrite Una’s legend, and finally tell a different story, they’ll have to rewrite history itself – and change their lives in the process.
Published October 30th by Viking Mystery, Crime Fiction, Historical Mystery, Cozy Mystery, Domestic Fiction
BOOK DESCRIPTION: Downton Abbey meets Knives Out in the gripping new crime series from the bestselling author where an unlikely sleuthing duo – an under-butler and a foul-mouthed octogerian – hunt a killer in a manor sealed against the end of the world.
Cornwall, 1910. On a remote tidal island, the Viscount of Tithe Hall is absorbed in feverish preparations for the apocalypse that he believes will accompany the passing of Halley’s Comet. The Hall must be sealed from top to bottom – every window, chimney and keyhole closed off before night falls. But what the pompous, dishonest Viscount has failed to take into account is the danger that lies within… By morning, he will be dead in his sealed study, murdered by his own ancestral crossbow.
All eyes turn to Stephen Pike, Tithe Hall’s newest under-butler. Fresh out of Borstal for a crime he didn’t commit, he is the wrong man in the wrong place at the wrong time. His unlikely ally? Miss Decima Stockingham, the foul-mouthed, sharp as a tack, 80-year-old family matriarch. Fearless and unconventional, she relishes chaos and puzzles alike, and a murder is just the thrill she’s been waiting for.
Together, this mismatched duo must navigate secret passages, buried grudges and rising terror to unmask the killer before it’s too late…
Published October 30th by Raven Books Suspense, Horror Fiction, Epistolary Novel, Translated Ficiton
BOOK DESCRIPTION: Dear Jiwon, I’m writing to you regarding the murder of your son…
Revenge is perhaps best served by letter. But letters get answered. And when a young tutor takes up the pen to write to her former employer revealing the true motive behind tutoring her son, she will trigger a chain of events that will leave you questioning everything – and everyone.
Dear Jiwon, What’s the first thing we learn as babies? Don’t trust another person for no good reason. Even your own flesh and blood to whom you gave birth is no exception. After all, one’s offspring are other people too. But how many times can I tell you to trust no one? Not even me.
—- Content warning: this book contains instances of animal abuse and death
Published September 11th, 2025 by Orenda Books Mystery, Suspense, Psychological Thriller, Crime Series, Gothic Ficiton, Contemporary Horror
Welcome to my stop on the blog tour for this nerve-shredding gothic mystery. 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 BOOK:
Annie and Lewis search for the son of an old enemy, who may hold the key to ending Annie’s curse. Their investigations lead back to the past, uncovering something that could destroy the most powerful people in the country. The compelling, chilling next instalment in the Annie Jackson Mysteries series…
‘A tense, creepy page-turner’ Ian Rankin
‘Spine-tinglingly thrilling with an extraordinary sense of place’ Caro Ramsay
‘A master storyteller at the very top of his game … mesmeric and suspenseful’ Marion Todd
‘The past echoing in the present. A whisper of the supernatural. Strong characters. Evocative prose … What is there not to like? Impressive’ Douglas Skelton
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Two men, centuries apart, dream of being a wolf.
One is burned at the stake.
Another is locked in a psychiatric hospital for most of his life.
And Annie Jackson is about to find out why…
Vowing once again to remove herself from society, Annie is back living alone in her little cottage by the shores of a loch. But when an old enemy – now locked up in a high security hospital – comes calling, begging her to find the son that she was forced to give up at the age of seventeen, Annie is tempted out of seclusion. The missing boy holds the key to ending Annie’s curse, and he may be the only chance that both she and Lewis have of real happiness.
Annie and Lewis begin an investigation that takes them back to the past, a time etched in Scottish folklore, a period of history that may just be repeating itself. And what they uncover could destroy not just some of the most powerful people in the country, who will stop at nothing to protect their wealth and their secrets, but also Annie’s life, and everything she holds dear…
Dark, immersive, and utterly compelling, The Howling is a story of deception, betrayal, and misplaced power, and a reminder that the most public of faces can hide the darkest of hearts…
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MY REVIEW:
Michael J. Malone has knocked it out of the park yet again with this darkly atmospheric and nerve-shredding thriller where ghosts of the past echo in the present and dark secrets threaten to destroy some of the country’s most powerful men. Two men separated by centuries dream of being a wolf. One of them is burned at the stake. Whilst the other is locked in a psychiatric hospital. And Annie Jackson is about to find out why as she searches for the son of her enemy in this gripping gothic mystery.
The Annie Jackson Mysteries have quickly become one of the highlights of my reading year. I know as the leaves start to turn and the cardigans get chunkier that I will be reading a chilling and sinister story that will have me on the edge of my seat. The Howling lives up to that reputation and Malone has delivered another first-rate thriller. Told by multiple narrators in multiple timelines, the story transports us between 1709, 1979 and 2024, bringing both past and present to life in vivid detail. It’s a complex, intricate and urgent mystery, full of curses, sinister suspense and whispers of the paranormal that is woven into every facet of the story and we get a real sense of the loneliness, isolation, fear and torment that those affected by them endure. As always, Malone’s storytelling is outstanding, while a strong sense of place draws you in as he expertly intertwines the multiple timelines, dropping clues like breadcrumbs throughout the narrative for us to follow. I had some predictions but my jaw dropped when the truth was finally revealed.
One of my favourite things about a series is revisiting characters I love, and Annie and Lewis are two of my favourite, and probably most original, protagonists. I love their strong bond and the way they work together to solve the crimes. They are strong, memorable and richly drawn, as are all of the characters in this book. It is easy to like and root for them while Malone also delivers villains, like the chilling Sylvia, who will make your skin crawl.
So, if you’re looking for an unsettling, heart-stopping and immersive mystery this spooky season, pick up this book. It could be read as a standalone, however I highly recommend reading the others in the series as not only is what happens woven into this story, but they are magnificent reads.
Rating: ✮✮✮✮✰
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ABOUT THE AUTHOR:
Michael Malone is a prize-winning poet and author who was born and brought upin the heart of Burns’ He has published over 200 poems in literary magazines throughout the UK, including New Writing Scotland, Poetry Scotland and Markings. Blood Tears, his bestselling debut novel won the Pitlochry Prize from the Scottish Association of Writers. Other published work includes: Carnegie’s Call; A Taste for Malice; The Guillotine Choice; Beyond the Rage; The Bad Samaritan; and Dog Fight. His psychological thriller, A Suitable Lie, was a number-one bestseller, and the critically acclaimed House of Spines and After He Died soon followed suit. Since then, he’s written two further thought-provoking, exquisitely written psychological thrillers In the Absence of Miracles and A Song of Isolation, cementing his position as a key proponent of Tartan Noir and an undeniable talent. A former Regional Sales Manager (Faber & Faber) he has also worked as an IFA and a bookseller. Michael lives in Ayr.
Published September 11th, 2025 by Simon & Schuster UK Romance Novel, Contemporary Romance, Holiday Ficiton
Welcome to my stop on the blog tour for this delightful autumnal romcom. Thank you to SJV and BATC 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:
In Wynbridge, the scent of autumn is on the breeze and love is in the air…
Clemmie Bennett has been renovating beautiful Rowan Cottage on the outskirts of the small town of Wynbridge, for eighteen months following a very public heartbreak back in her childhood hometown. The popular Instagram influencer, lost her husband, sold their home, and has been cosied up the Fens and living a very private life, but now she feels it’s time for a change.
A chance encounter with co-owner of The Cherry Tree Café, the bubbly Lizzie Dixon, pulls her into organizing Wynbridge’s first-ever Autumn Festival, and her once quiet life is soon a distant memory. With the whole town rallying behind the event, she discovers a new sense of purpose.
And when local vet Ash falls hard for Clemmie, she begins to wonder if she’s ready to move even further on from her past and fall in love again…
This autumn, cosy up with Heidi and this perfect seasonal romance.
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MY REVIEW:
Clemmie Bennett has spent the last year and a half in solitude while renovating Rowan Cottage. It’s been the best way she could think of to help her work through her grief after the death of her husband, Callum, in a tragic accident. But now Clemmie is ready to rejoin the world and decides it is time to explore her new town. But then, a chance encounter with Lizzie, the co-owner of The Cherry Tree Cafe, sees Clemmie agreeing to organise the first Wynbridge Autumn Festival, with help from local vet, Ash. And as their friendship starts to feel like more, Clemmie has to ask herself if she is ready to fall in love again…
Heidi Swain can always be relied upon to deliver heartwarming and uplifting romance that warms you from the inside like porridge on a cold day. And with her latest book, All Wrapped Up, she delivers all that and more. This is autumn in book form. Heidi has crafted the perfect autumnal romcom to read while snuggled up under a blanket drinking a pumpkin spice latte.
This story is friend-to-lovers perfection and I was here for it at every step. Clemmie and Ash were both likeable and charming characters that were fun to read. Clemmie is also trying to navigate a devastating loss and I was cheering her on as she began living life again. I loved Ash and Clemmie’s friendship, though I was rooting for them to be a couple. It was obvious that they were made for each other. I’m a sucker for a dog sidekick and loved Pixie, the adorable pooch that Clemmie adopted, and loved seeing them help to heal one another’s grief. I also enjoyed seeing the familiar characters from Heidi’s other Wynbridge books make an appearance, but appreciated that this book could also be read as a standalone.
Delightful, warm and full of heart, this was a joy to read from start to finish. All Wrapped Up is the perfect book for your TBR this autumn. Read it now.
Rating: 🍁🍁🍁🍁
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ABOUT THE AUTHOR:
Heidi Swain is a Sunday Times Bestselling Author who writes commercial fiction for Simon and Schuster.
She has three series set in fictitious Wynbridge, Nightingale Square and Wynmouth and writes two titles a year – a summer and a Christmas book.
She also writes short stories and non-fiction for magazines and is represented by Amanda Preston.
Heidi always wanted to be a published author and her big writing break came in 2014 when she submitted The Cherry Tree Café to Books and The City (the digital first imprint of Simon and Schuster). The book was published a year later and she hasn’t stopped writing since.
Her books are available in paperback, E-book and audio and have been published in Italy, France and Germany as well as the UK.
She lives in the east of England, is a member of the RNA and the Society of Authors and has a TBR pile which is always out of control.
Published August 28th, 2025 by Avon Books Mystery, Thriller, Suspense, Crime Fiction, Psychological Fiction
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ABOUT THE BOOK:
A face in the crowd. A killer in the shadows…
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On the dark streets of Edinburgh, a killer is waiting.
When a body is found, it is only the beginning. Soon there will be seven more.
In the city’s hospital, renowned surgeon Beth Waterfall is grieving.
Her beloved only daughter fell prey to a vicious stalker a year previously – and now he’s coming for her too.
Edinburgh’s police are desperate.
After one body comes another, and then another. The brutal deaths are all seemingly unconnected, yet DS Lively and forensic profiler Dr Connie Woolwine know they are dealing with a serial killer – they just need to prove it.
But time is running out, and Beth Waterfall already looks set to be the next victim…
The million-copy international bestseller returns with a gripping serial killer thriller that will have you hooked from the first page to the very last.
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MY REVIEW:
In Edinburgh, a killer is watching. Waiting for the right time to strike. A body is found but there will be seven more that soon follow. The brutal murders seem unconnected, but DS Lively and Dr Connie Woolwine are sure they are dealing with a serial killer.
A new Helen Fields book is always an event. A crime fiction powerhouse, Helen always delivers books that are sinister, suspenseful, twisty, menacing and addictive. Her latest novel, Watching You, delivers all that and more. Dark and gritty, there’s an oppressive sense of foreboding from the start and a chilling unease as we become aware of the killer hunting and watching his prey. It’s expertly written, skillfully plotted, full of red herrings, shocking twists and nerve-shredding moments that have you on the edge of your seat.
Fields’ books are always filled with richly drawn and compelling characters but this time she’s gone one better and packed it to the brim with characters that regular readers will recognise from both of her series. Not only are profiler Connie Woolwine and Brodie Barda back, but DS Sam Lively and DS Christie Salter from the DI Callanach series returns and there are mentions of other familiar characters. Dare I hope that soon we might get a book where Luc, Ava, Connie and Brodie all appear together? PLEASE make that happen, Helen!
The return of Connie Woolwine means more strange moments with corpses and a crime that explores another rare brain condition. I love these aspects of this series and always particularly look forward to learning about another obscure condition thanks to Ms. Fields. Another thing I love about her books is how she humanises the victims, making us care about them and see them as real people before they are then brutally murdered. I also like that she also includes the perspective of the villain, this time making my skin crawl as I witnessed him stalking his victims, all while they are completely unaware he is watching.
A heart-stopping thriller that is scalpel-sharp, dark and devious, Watching You is a must for any thriller lover. And though it is technically part of a series, it can be read as a standalone. However, I highly recommend all of Helen’s books as they are first-class thrillers you don’t want to miss.
Rating: ✮✮✮✮✮
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ABOUT THE AUTHOR:
A Sunday Times and million copy best-selling author, Helen is a former criminal and family law barrister. Every book in the Callanach series has claimed an Amazon #1 bestseller flag. ‘Perfect Kill’ was longlisted for the Crime Writers Association Ian Fleming Steel Dagger in 2020, and others have been longlisted for the McIlvanney Prize, Scottish crime novel of the year. Helen also writes as HS Chandler, and has released legal thriller ‘Degrees of Guilt’. In 2020 Perfect Remains was shortlisted for the Bronze Bat, Dutch debut crime novel of the year. In 2022, Helen was nominated for Best Crime Novel and Best Author in the Netherlands. Now translated into more than 20 languages, and also selling in the USA, Canada & Australasia, Helen’s books have won global recognition. She has written standalone novels, The Institution, The Last Girl To Die, These Lost & Broken Things and The Shadow Man. She regularly commutes between West Sussex, USA and Scotland.
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Emma's Biblio Treasures 