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Audio Books book reviews Emma's Anticipated Treasures

AUDIOBOOK REVIEW: The House Saphir by Marissa Meyer

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

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ABOUT THE BOOK:

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

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

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

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

buy here

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MY REVIEW:

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

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

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

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

Rating: ✮✮✮✮✰

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

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ABOUT THE AUTHOR:

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

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Thanks for reading, Bibliophiles xxxx

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book reviews Emma's Anticipated Treasures

BOOK REVIEW: Wonderful by Louise Beech

Published June 1st, 2026 by Pick Lock Publishing
Contemporary Fiction

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ABOUT THE BOOK:

A Hollywood idol. The Virgin Mary. An everyday girl from Hull.

Three women, three eras, surprising things in common…

On 4th August 1962, the night she should have died, Marilyn Monroe – the biggest star in the world – receives a visitor who changes the course of her destiny. The Virgin Mary appears in her kitchen with a curious message. Inspired, Marilyn abandons her home, her life, her fame, and disappears into the night…

Fifty-four years later, in a Hull kitchen, Flora Baker finds Mary, bathed in light. She has a similar message for the working class woman who is on the poverty line and dreaming of a better life. Flora begins to make changes that impact not only her life but the lives of those around her…

Do Marilyn and Flora have more in common than just Mary’s visit? Are they somehow linked across time? And is Mary’s message for all the women of the world?

Wonderful is about the way women are portrayed in both history and the world of celebrity, about women not being quiet, and about women united by the shared stories that shape them.

pre-order

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MY REVIEW:

“Wonderful means full of wonder. It does not mean astonishing but to be full of astonishment.”

We all know the name Marilyn Monroe. The tragic blonde bombshell who died on August 4th 1962. But what if she didn’t die that night? What if instead she receives a  visit from The Virgin Mary and her message inspires her to disappear into the night and abandon her entire life. That is how Louise Beech’s new book begins. We then jump forward fifty four years, to a kitchen in Hull, where Flora Baker also receives a visit from The Virgin Mary and receives a similar message, causing her to make big changes in her life. The story then moves between Marilyn and Flora, following as they try to find new meaning in their lives and carry out the actions inspired by their visits from The Virgin Mary. But could there be another connection between the two women?

Wonderful. Simply, wonderful. 

I know when I read a book by Louise Beech it’s going to be great. But other than her amazing writing, I didn’t know what else to expect from this book. From the moment I first read the synopsis I was intrigued, and I know how much Louise adores Ms. Monroe, so I knew the story would honour her memory, but  I wasn’t prepared to also fall in love with this icon. The Marilyn on these pages isn’t the ditzy blonde bombshell persona we’re familiar with. She’s humble, kind, flawed, raw and real. The sort of person you can imagine becoming friends with. And I loved her. 

“Why was facing the world with feminine grace revered? Wouldn’t it be better if they screamed, broke down, swore?”

The story is exquisitely written, perfectly paced and meticulously researched, Louise’s love and knowledge about Marilyn  evident on every page. It is also intricately interwoven, the two storylines cleverly and skillfully woven together in unexpected ways. And then there’s the characters. Richly drawn, likeable and real, I cared about these women and desperately wished that this could have been Marilyn’s real fate. 

A powerful and moving story full of heart and hope, I highly recommend pre-ordering this book, which is out June 1st, on what would have been Marilyn’s 100th birthday. 

Rating: ✮✮✮✮✰

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

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ABOUT THE AUTHOR:

Louise Beech is the author of nine novels and a memoir, Eighteen Seconds (2023). Her debut, How to be Brave, was a Guardian Readers’ Pick; The Lion Tamer Who Lost shortlisted for the Romantic Novel Awards 2019 and longlisted for the Polari Prize that same year; Call Me Star Girl was Best magazine’s Book of the Year; This Is How We Are Human was a Clare Mackintosh Book Club pick; and audiobook Daffodils shortlisted for the Audies23. Her dystopian thriller, End of Story, is written as Louise Swanson. Swanson’s next was released in spring 2024. The novel she’s always wanted to write, Wonderful, is released June 1st 2026/

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Thanks for reading, Bibliophiles xxxx

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Audio Books Beat the Backlist book reviews

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

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

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ABOUT THE BOOK:

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

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

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

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

The family shatters, seemingly for good.

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

BUY HERE

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MY REVIEW:

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

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

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

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

A must-read for your TBR.

Rating: ✮✮✮✮✰

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ABOUT THE AUTHOR:

Lisa Jewell was born in London in 1968.

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

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

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Thanks for reading, Bibliophiles xxxx

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book reviews Emma's Anticipated Treasures Most Anticipated 2026 Squadpod Squadpod Featured Books Squadpod Recommends

SQUADPOD FEATURED BOOK REVIEW: Blank Canvas by Grace Murray

Published January 15th, 2026 by Fig Tree
Literary Fiction, Coming-of-Age Story

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ABOUT THE BOOK:

Introducing an outstanding new voice in literary fiction: a sensual, sharp, and utterly compelling campus novel about grief, reinvention, and the ripple effects of telling lies

If I ever woke up with an ungodly dread ― that I could change it all now, turn around, and confess ― I ignored it. I had never been good, and there was no point in trying now.

On a small liberal arts campus in upstate New York, Charlotte begins her final year with a lie. Her father died over the summer, she says. Heart attack. Very sudden.

Charlotte had never been close with her classmates but as she repeats her tale, their expressions soften into kindness. And so she learns there are things worth lying for: attention, affection, and, as she embarks on a relationship with fellow student Katarina, even love. All she needs to do is keep control of the threads that hold her lie – and her life – together.

But six thousand miles away, alone in the grey two-up-two-down Staffordshire terrace she grew up in, her father is very much alive, watching television and drinking beer. Charlotte has always kept difficult truths at arm’s length, but his resolve to visit his distant daughter might just be the one thing she can’t control.

BUY HERE

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MY REVIEW:

Charlotte is in her final year at a small liberal arts school in upstate New York. And she begins it by telling a lie: that her father died suddenly over the summer. 

Charlotte has never really fit in with her classmates and she doesn’t feel things the way others do. Lying is second nature to her.  She sees herself as predestined to lie while others are predestined to be good, so what’s the point in trying. But then she embarks on a relationship with fellow student Katarina. Suddenly she’s starting to understand the emotions that have eluded her and she wants to be good. But how can she admit she lied about her father’s death?

Sensual, emotional, witty, assured and original, Blank Canvas is a small book that makes a big impact. An extraordinary debut, Grace Murray showcases herself as an outstanding literary talent to watch. Exquisitely written, multi-layered and acutely observed, this book oozes malaise, heartache and dysfunction. It will consume you, Murray holding you in her thrall from the first page to the last. 

Protagonist Charlotte is a fractured, flawed and xx character. Her inner monologue hypnotises you as Murray slowly lays bare her grief, trauma and dysfunction. It is impossible to turn away, even as you see the car crash heading her way. Her relationship with Katarina is full of the intensity and transformation of first love while also being complicated by her lies. It’s beautiful, raw and real, humanising Charlotte when she starts out as someone pretty hard to relate to. This is also where we begin to see Charlotte really crave some kind of bond, something she has never wanted before, highlighting the human need for connection in even the most solitary of souls.

A magnificent debut that will leave you breathless, this is a must-read. I can’t wait for whatever Murray writes next.

Rating: ✮✮✮✮✰

Thanks to Fig Tree for sending me a copy of the book in exchange for my honest review.

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ABOUT THE AUTHOR:

Grace Murray was born in 2003 and grew up in Norwich. She has recently graduated from Edinburgh University, where she read English Literature and found time to write between her studies and two part-time jobs. Her short fiction has been published in The London Magazine.

In writing Blank Canvas, Grace set out to explore themes of Catholic guilt and queer identity, clashing moral codes and lies, and the opportunity for reinvention presented by moving between countries and settings.

Blank Canvas was written over the course of a year as part of WriteNow, Penguin Random House’s flagship mentorship scheme for emerging talent. Grace Murray won one of nine places on the scheme on the exceptional strength of her writing, selected from a pool of over 1,300 applicants.

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Thanks for reading, Bibliophiles xxxx

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

SQUADPOD BOOK CLUB: Room 706 by Ellie Levenson

Published January 15th, 2026 by Headline
Suspense, Thriller, Mystery, Literary Fiction, Contemporary Fiction

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ABOUT THE BOOK:

Nobody knows she’s checked into Room 706.

Caught in the wrong place at precisely the worst time, Kate must face the most confronting situation of her life – and discover what matters most – in this deeply suspenseful and thought-provoking novel.

If she knew it would end this way, would it ever have begun?

‘I devoured it… I haven’t stopped thinking about it’ Jennie Godfrey
‘An ending that demands to be talked about’ Erin Kelly
‘Poignant, heart-breaking and utterly human’ Joanna Cannon

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Kate stretches her legs and turns on the TV while James washes away the traces of their morning. She watches in horror at the unfolding news: the hotel they are staying in has been taken under siege.

She should be making her way home, working on appearing normal, getting ready to re-enter family life with her loving husband Vic and their two adored children. Instead, she is trapped somewhere she shouldn’t be, with a man she definitely doesn’t love.

How will she begin to tell Vic what she is doing here? If her body is found, will it give up the secret of what she’s been up to? She’s been so careful hiding the evidence of her affair: write nothing down, leave no trace. Will he begin to understand why?

For now, Kate can only hide, take a deep breath, and reflect on the series of choices she’s made that have brought her to this moment.

What will her marriage and her life look like, if she makes it out?

Discover the most gripping and original novel you’ll read this year, from an incredible new talent in fiction.

BUY HERE

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MY REVIEW:

Multi-layered, tender, tense and claustrophobic, Room 706 is an explosive debut. Morally ambiguous and thought provoking it follows Kate, who has just enjoyed a day of illicit love-making with her lover, James. As he showers she turns on the TV in the hotel room and the news is reporting a story about a siege under way at a hotel. Horrorstruck, Kate realises it is their hotel. Now, instead of making her way home and collecting her children from school, she’s stuck in a hotel room with her lover. How will she explain this to her husband? And will they make it out of there alive?

How on earth is this a debut? Ellie Levenson writes like a seasoned veteran. Her storytelling is nuanced, raw and sensitive, her characters achingly human and flawed, her plot cleverly choreographed and tightly paced, and her twists surprising. I’ll admit that I went into this expecting a thriller, but while it is full of fear and tension, it isn’t a thriller. Levenson describes it as ‘fiction for the clever but tired woman’, which is the perfect description. I was in Ellie’s thrall, glued to the pages as we moved between events in the hotel room and flashbacks that tell the story of both of Kate’s relationships. And that ending! I almost threw the book across the room and can see why so many people are talking about it.

The moral ambiguity of this story is at the heart of its charm. Kate loves her husband and her affair is simply self-care for her. An escape from the monotony of marriage and motherhood. She recognises how wrong it is but also isn’t willing to give it up. And whatever your thoughts on the morality of her choices, it’s impossible not to like and root for this lady and feel sad for her as she’s trapped in a terrifying situation totally unsupported. Something I loved about Kate was how even when she’s fearing for her life she still worries  about things like the food shopping, buying her son a costume for school and uploading family photos to the cloud. It’s definitely what I could imagine myself doing in her situation. 

A riveting and unforgettable debut by an author who is one to watch, Room 706 is a must for your TBR. 

Rating: ✮✮✮✮✰

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

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ABOUT THE AUTHOR:

Ellie Levenson has worked as a journalist, writer and lecturer for many years. 

Her freelance work as a feature writer and columnist saw articles published across national newspapers, consumer magazines and specialist publications, with a special focus on writing accessibly about politics, language and social issues. 

Ellie has extensive experience as a lecturer in journalism at Goldsmiths College, University of London, and has been a guest lecturer at many other institutions. She has also worked as an Adjunct Professor at the London programmes of Boston University and Syracuse University. She is completing a PGCHE and is interested to hear about any guest lecturing opportunities in journalism, ideas generation and creative writing. 

Before becoming a novelist, Ellie wrote non-fiction books for adults and non-fiction and picture books for children. These include Politics in 100 words (Quarto, 2020), Creativity and Feature Writing: How to get hundreds of new ideas every day (Routledge, 2015), The Election (Fisherton Press, 2015) and The Noughtie Girl’s Guide to Feminism (Oneworld, 2009).

Ellie lives with her husband and children in East London. (Up the O’s!)

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Thanks for reading, Bibliophiles xxxx

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

BOOK REVIEW: River Sing Me Home by Eleanor Shearer

Published January 19th, 2023 by Headline
Historical Fiction

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ABOUT THE BOOK:

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

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

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

BUY HERE

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MY REVIEW:

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

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

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

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

Rating: ✮✮✮✮.5

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

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ABOUT THE AUTHOR:

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

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

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Thanks for reading, Bibliophiles xxxx

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Blog Tours book reviews Emma's Anticipated Treasures

BLOG TOUR: Into the Dark by Orjan Karlsson

Published January 15th, 2026 by Orenda Books
Mystery, Suspense, Crime Fiction, Urban Fiction, Nordic Noir, Translated Fiction

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ABOUT THE BOOK:

In Norway’s far north, something unspeakable is surfacing…

When a mutilated body rises from the icy waters off the jetty in Kjerringøy, it shocks the quiet coastal village – and stirs something darker beneath. Not long after, a young woman is found dead in a drab Bodø apartment. Suicide, perhaps. Or something far more sinister. 

Detective Jakob Weber and former national investigator Noora Yun Sande are drawn into both cases. Then a hiker reports a terrifying encounter in the nearby wilderness: a solitary cabin … and a man without a face.

As the investigation deepens, the clues grow more disturbing – and the wild, wintry landscape closes in. Jakob is certain of one thing: if they don’t find the killer soon, he’ll strike again.

SECOND in the dark, addictive Nordic Noir series set in Norway’s unforgiving Arctic north.

buy here

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MY REVIEW:

The Kerringoy Women’s Naked Bathing Club are going for their monthly wild swim when a body rises from the depths of the icy sea. The discovery sends shockwaves through the quiet coastal village. But more shocks are to come and soon after the body of a young woman is found dead in an apartment in Bodo. At first it seems like a simple suicide, but soon it appears to be something far more sinister. Detectives Jakob Weber and Noora Yun Sande are called in to investigate both cases. As they do, the clues become increasingly disturbing. And the clock is ticking before their killer strikes again. Can they find them before they do?

Dark, suspenseful, unnerving and addictive, the second installment in the Arctic Mysteries series is every bit as bingeable as the first. Ørjan Karlsson shows no signs of second-book syndrome here, delivering another skillfully written thriller that is cleverly plotted and keeps the reader on their toes. I was hooked and would find myself thinking about the story whenever I wasn’t reading. I couldn’t wait to get back to it and find out what would happen next. There are multiple narrators and threads to this story but Karlsson avoids it getting confusing, shifting seamlessly between them and intricately weaving the threads together in surprising ways. 

I loved being back with Jakob and Noora, two charismatic characters who are very easy to root for. When we meet them this time around Jakob is still grieving the loss of his wife, Lise, while trying to learn to navigate his new relationship and being a guardian for his half-brother. Meanwhile, Noora is recovering from the hip injury she sustained and trying to prove she’s fit enough to be back at work. These personal struggles are woven into the story, providing obstacles to their investigations that they must overcome. The other characters are just as well written and compelling and I liked that Karlsson gave us a number of suspects for both cases. I thought I had it completely sussed but he pulled a blinder, leaving me completely shook by the reveal. 

Sinister, forbidding and unsettling, this is a must for fans of darker thrillers or Nordic Noir. 

Rating: ✮✮✮✮✰

Thanks to Anne at Random Things Tours for the invitation to take part in this blog tour, and to Orenda Books for sending me a proof copy of the book in exchange for my honest reivew.

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ABOUT THE AUTHOR:

Ørjan Karlsson grew up in Bodø, a town north of the Arctic Circle. He holds a master’s degree in sociology and received officer training in the army. He has participated in international missions for the EU, UN and NATO, and has worked for the Norwegian Ministry of Defence and the Directorate for Civil Protection. Ørjan has written a large number of thrillers, sci-fi novels and crime novels for adults, including an acclaimed thriller series featuring Major Frank Halvorsen and Lieutenant Ida Vinterdal of the Norwegian special forces. Into Thin Air, his sixteenth novel, began the Arctic Mysteries series and was first published in English, to much acclaim, in 2024.

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ABOUT THE TRANSLATOR:

Ian Giles has a PhD in Scandinavian literature from the University of Edinburgh. Past translations include novels by crime and thriller luminaries such as Arne Dahl, Carin Gerhardsen, Michael Katz Krefeld, David Lagercrantz, Camilla Läckberg and Gustaf Skördeman. His translation of Andreas Norman’s Into a Raging Blaze was shortlisted for the 2015 CWA International Dagger.

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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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Beat the Backlist book reviews

BLOG BLAST: A Woman Scorned by Jack Jordan

Published June 5th, 2025 by Simon & Schuster UK
Thriller, Crime Fiction, Mystery, Suspense, Domestic Fiction, Romantic Suspense

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ABOUT THE BOOK:

Are you afraid? You should be.

The husband: in over his head with no way of knowing the truth.
The mistress: blinded by love, betrayed by her family…
The neighbour: will stop at nothing to protect the life he has fought to create.
The wife: a woman bent on revenge, but how far is she willing to go…?

Dark as night, this is a brilliantly plotted, gripping short story from the bestselling author Jack Jordan.

BUY HERE

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MY REVIEW:

I think anyone who has been cheated on can relate to wanting to get revenge. Most of us don’t act on those fantasies, but when Amber discovers her husband, Richard, is having an affair, she doesn’t just fantasise about vengeance, she makes it a reality. 

Tense, twisty and totally addictive, A Woman Scorned plays out over the course of a day, telling the story from multiple perspectives to slowly unveil a story of seduction, secrets, lies, deceit, schemes and murder. 

Jack Jordan has done it again. This gripping thriller packs a punch from the first page, taking us on a fast-paced thrill ride that had me hanging on for dear life. Well written, cleverly plotted and intricately interwoven, I was glued to the pages and devoured this book in just a few hours. Jack’s decision to tell the same story from different perspectives was skillfully executed and I loved trying to predict what would happen next, being surprised time and again as the truth unfurled piece by piece.

The characters are charismatic and compelling, but mostly unlikeable and unreliable.. And that’s obviously deliberate on Jordan’s part. He pulls it off with finesse, writing despicable characters that I loved reading but would hate to meet in real life. The only exception was Neena, who I had a lot of sympathy for. Amber is possibly one of the best unlikeable characters I’ve read. She was so awful but also captivating and it felt quite cathartic to live out my revenge fantasies through her.

A riveting thriller that will keep you on the edge of your seat, this is a must for all thriller fans.

Rating: ✮✮✮✮✰

Thank you to Tracy at Compulsive Readers for the invitation to take part in this blog blast and to Simon & Schuster UK for sending me a copy of the 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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Audio Books Beat the Backlist book reviews Emma's Anticipated Treasures

REVIEW: The Confession by Jessie Burton

Published September 19th, 2019 by Picador
Historical Fiction, Contemporary Romance, Literary Fiction, Psychological Fiction, Lesbian Literature

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BOOK DESCRIPTION:

A Sunday Times bestseller and Richard and Judy Bookclub pick, The Confession is an absorbing tale of secrets and self-discovery from Jessie Burton, the million-copy bestselling author of The Miniaturist and The Muse.

When Elise Morceau meets the writer Constance Holden, she quickly falls under her spell. Connie is sophisticated, bold and alluring – everything Elise feels she is not. She follows Connie to LA, but in this city of strange dreams and 1980s razzle-dazzle, Elise feels even more out of her depth and makes an impulsive decision that will change her life forever.

Three decades later in London, Rose Simmons is trying to uncover the story of her mother, who disappeared when she was a baby. Having learned that the last person to see her was a now reclusive novelist, Rose finds herself at the door of Constance Holden’s house in search of a confession . . .

‘Without doubt one of the best novels of recent years’ – Elizabeth Day, author of How to Fail.

buy here

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MY REVIEW:

Elise Morceau meets Constance Holden on a winter’s afternoon on Hampstead Heath in 1980 and quickly falls under her spell. Connie is a successful writer and when she relocates to LA while her novel is made into a movie, Elise follows her there. And while LA is the city of dreams, Elise feels out of place and makes a life-changing impulsive decision.

Three decades later, Rose Simmons is trying to finally unveil the story of her mother, who disappeared when she was a baby. She learns that the last person to see her was Constance Holden, who is now a reclusive novelist. So, Rose travels to her house and knocks at her door in search of a confession…

A beautiful journey of self discovery, a timely exploration of motherhood, an enthralling love story and an ode to storytelling, The Confession is tender, moving and achingly real. This one had been on my shelves ever since I received a proof in 2019 and I’d picked it up a few times. But the time wasn’t right until January this year when the stars aligned and I finally got to enjoy this riveting tale. Jessie Burton is a masterful storyteller and it is no secret that I’m a huge fan. Once again she has crafted a story written with lyrical prose, evocative imagery and a plot that is intricately interwoven. I was quickly pulled into the story and lost myself in the world Ms. Burton had created. 

The story moves seamlessly between Rosie in 2017 and Elise in 1980, the mystery slowly unfurling as decades-old secrets are finally revealed. The characters are richly drawn, complex and compelling, with Rose having a special place in my heart. I adored the love story between Elise and Constance, even if it did lead Elise to make some questionable decisions. But I liked that nuance. That Elise was neither angel nor sinner, but a flawed person who lived in the shades of grey that each of us spend most of our lives. It made the story feel all the more relatable and real whilst also enabling Burton to explore topics such as the devastation caused by deception and the consequences of the choices we make. 

A powerful and tender story from an exquisite storyteller, I highly recommend this book.

Rating: ✮✮✮✰

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

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MEET THE AUTHOR:

Jessie Burton is the author of four novels, The Miniaturist, The Muse, The Confession, and The House of Fortune.

The Miniaturist and The Muse were Sunday Times no.1 bestsellers in both hardback and paperback, New York Times bestsellers, and Radio 4’s Book at Bedtime. The Miniaturist went on to sell over a million copies in its year of publication, was Christmas no.1 in the UK, National Book Awards Book of the Year, and Waterstones Book of the Year 2014.  In 2017 it was adapted as a two-part miniseries on BBC One, starring Anya Taylor-Joy, Alex Hassell and Romola Garai, screened over Christmas, and now available on DVD and streaming services. The Confession was an instant Sunday Times bestseller, and Radio 4 Book at Bedtime​. The House of Fortune was a Sunday Times no.1 bestseller in hardback, and the paperback was released in July 2023.

Her novels have been published in 40 languages.

Jessie’s first book for children, The Restless Girls, was published in September 2018, and Medusa, her second, in October 2021. Medusa was shortlisted for the 2023 Carnegie Medal for Children’s Writing. ​Her story ‘Daphne and the Doughnuts’ appeared in The Book of Hopes, a collection of children’s stories published in 2020, from which all profits go to the NHS. 

As a non-fiction writer, she has written essays and reviews for The New York Times, Harpers Bazaar UK, The Wall Street Journal, The Independent, Vogue, Elle, Red, Grazia, Lonely Planet Traveller and The Spectator. Harpers Bazaar US and Stylist have published her short stories. You can read her answers to the TLS’ 20 Questions on books and writing here.

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book reviews Emma's Anticipated Treasures

BOOK REVIEW: The Book of Heartbreak by Ova Ceren

Published August 26th, 2025 by Hot Key Books
Romantic Fantasy, Fantasy Fiction, Romance Novel, Fairy Tale, Magical Realism

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ABOUT THE BOOK:

A gorgeous romantasy of angels and curses, which will break your heart and mend it again. Perfect for fans of Laini Taylor and Stephanie Garber.

‘A TRUE DELIGHT – VIVID, FRESH AND GRIPPING’
Laini Taylor, bestselling author of Daughter of Smoke and Bone and Strange the Dreamer

Heartbreak is always devastating, but for Sare it’s life-threatening.

Sare Silverbirch has already had her heart broken four times, and a fifth heartbreak will stop her heart forever. Such is the nature of the curse she was born under, which forces her to live a life without letting anyone get too close.

Then her mother dies unexpectedly,and Sare begins to question the curse. Where did it come from? Why her? And rather than accept it, could there be a way to break it?

Her questions lead her to Istanbul where she meets Leon, a seer who helps her track down the mysteries of her mother’s past. But Sare’s heart is a fragile thing and their blossoming relationship poses a great risk to her survival. Especially when she discovers that her fate is in the hands of celestials beyond this earthly realm. And now the heavens are stirring, for they have a stake in Sare’s destiny and they don’t like their plans being overturned.

Will Sare unravel the secrets of the past before the curse claims her forever?

buy here

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MY REVIEW:

“Love is a four-letter death sentence for someone like me, cursed to die of heartbreak.”

For teenager Sare Silverbirch heartbreak isn’t only devastating, it’s life-threatening. She’s had her heart broken four times already, but a curse means that a fifth heartbreak will stop her heart forever. When her mother dies unexpectedly, Sare begins to question where the curse came from and wonders if there is a way to break it? These questions take her to Istanbul where she meets Leon, a seer, who helps her track down the mysteries of her mother’s past. But their blossoming relationship puts her fragile heart, and her life, at risk. Can Sare unravel the secrets of her curse before it claims her forever?

Lush, lyrical, heartrending, illuminating and whimsical, The Book of Heartbreak is a folkloric story of cursed hearts, star-crossed lovers, long-buried secrets and wayward ethereals. Told with emotion, humour, romance and enchanting prose, Ova Ceren’s singular voice showcases her as a talent to watch in this unforgettable debut. An exploration of love, loss, heartbreak, trauma and forgiveness that is expertly interwoven with Ottoman history, Ova transported me to Istanbul so vividly that I could feel the sun on my skin. The world-building,  imagery and plot are fascinating, vibrant and evocative, making the world she created feel so real that I could imagine it all happening. And I loved that between each chapter she included excerpts from books or documents, correspondence and emails from celestial administration that ramped up the curiosity and tension. 

I loved the eclectic cast of characters in this book. Sare was likeable and easy to root for. When we meet her she has just lost her only parent and faces losing her own life if she has another heartbreak. That is a lot for a 17-year-old to be going through. And although she will be free of the curse if she reaches her 18th birthday without another heartbreak, it comes with a steep price that she isn’t sure she’s prepared to pay. I felt for Sare and was cheering her on at every step. Her emotions were palpable and I was living in fear of her last heartbreak, just as she was. Leon is also likeable and easy to root for, and I loved the chemistry between him and Sare. But the character I had a real soft spot for was Manu, Sare’s celestial guide. Funny, flamboyant and charismatic, she leapt from the pages as  she delivered insight into the curse, humorous warnings and advice.

Beautiful, sparkling and magical, this mesmerising debut is a real treasure. I can’t wait to see what Ova writes next.

Rating: ✮✮✮✮✰

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ABOUT THE AUTHOR:

Ova Ceren writes bittersweet tales of heartbreak and magic, often inspired by Turkish and Ottoman folklore.

Blessed (or perhaps cursed) with a mathematical brain, she earned a degree in Computer Science and a master’s that led her into a career in IT, taking her from Türkiye to Britain. After years of wrestling with algorithms in corporate jungles, she finally eloped with a debut novel instead.

Ova now lives in Cambridge, UK, with her husband, son, and a spirited flock of runner ducks.

She is also the creator of the popular Instagram and TikTok channels @excusemyreading.

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