Tag: historical fiction

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Audio Books book reviews Emma's Anticipated Treasures

BOOK REVIEW: The Austen Christmas Murders by Jessica Bull

Published November 13th, 2025 by Michael Joseph
Mystery, Historical Fiction, Historical Mystery, Crime Fiction, Book Series, Holiday Fiction, Festive Fiction, Regency Romance

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ABOUT THE BOOK:

TIS THE SEASON FOR MERRIMENT AND MYSTERIES…MISS AUSTEN INVESTIGATES A MURDER AT CHRISTMAS!

A witty, heartwarming Christmas mystery – perfect for fans of Jane Austen and classic whodunnits

‘So sharply observed, yet fresh, funny and a joy to read’ Jennie Godfrey

‘Comforting and cosy… the perfect book to read for Jane Austen’s upcoming 250th birthday’ 5***** reader review

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I sincerely hope your Christmas may abound in the mysteries which the season generally brings…

The festive season is fast approaching.

Jane Austen fears that without her lively siblings at home, there won’t be much Christmas cheer in the Austen household this year.

But when she uncovers a skeleton in the cellar of Deane Parsonage, Jane soon forgets her woes. For who needs merriment, when there’s a mystery to solve?

Jane quickly learns of a missing young bride, who after fleeing her wedding breakfast, was never seen again. Locals have long believed she haunts the woods nearby. Could Jane have found her at last?

Or does the truth of this mystery lie closer to home?

Over the twelve days of Christmas, Jane will embark upon festive delights, making merry, and solving murders…

BUY HERE

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MY REVIEW:

Today marks the 250th birthday of arguably one of England’s greatest authors: Jane Austen. I’ve long been a fan of Jane’s books, so, to celebrate her momentous birthday, I’m sharing my review of The Austen Christmas Murders, the Christmas Novella in the Miss Austen Investigates series.

Hampshire, 1798.  Jane is worried how jolly this Christmas will be without most of her siblings at home for the festivities this year. But her worries about Christmas are  pushed aside when a partially mummified body is found in the cellar of Deane Parsonage. Jane sets out to uncover their identity, believing it could be the body of Mary Ellen Portal, known locally as ‘the runaway bride’ after she vanished shortly after her wedding sixteen years earlier. But others, including Mary Ellen’s own family, aren’t convinced. And Jane knows she will need real evidence to prove the body’s identity one and for all. 

I’m loving the recent trend of re-imagining famous authors of the past as amateur sleuths, and this year I’ve loved discovering the Miss Austen Investigates series. Jane is one of my favourite amateur sleuths, and I have a hard time believing that these books are anything but an accurate representation of Jane’s life. It just has to be true! All jokes aside, Jessica Bull has crafted a series and a heroine that is richly imagined, expertly written, skillfully choreographed and perfectly paced. The research is detailed and the stories are sharply observed. Meanwhile, Jane is a witty, intelligent, determined feminist icon who is now one of my favourite characters to read. 

Comforting, cosy, mysterious and full of heart, this festive whodunnit is the perfect addition to your Christmas TBR.

Rating: 🎄🎄🎄🎄

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ABOUT THE AUTHOR:

Jessica Bull lives in South East London with her husband, two daughters, and far too many pets. She’s addicted to stories and studied English Literature at Bristol University, and Information Science at City University, London. She began her career as a librarian (under the false impression she could sit and read all day), before becoming a communications consultant.

Her debut novel, MISS AUSTEN INVESTIGATES, sold to Penguin Michael Joseph at auction for six figures, is published in 18 territories worldwide and was shortlisted for the Crime Writer’s Association ILP John Creasey First Novel Dagger. The second book in her Jane Austen murder mystery series, second A FORTUNE MOST FATAL, was published in March 2025 and the third, THE AUSTEN CHRISTMAS MURDERS, will be published in November 2025.

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Thanks for reading, Bibliophiles xxxx

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Audio Books book reviews Emma's Anticipated Treasures Most Anticipated 2025

BOOK REVIEW: The Lost Passenger by Frances Quinn

Published February 27th, 2025 by Simon & Schuster UK
Hisotrical Fiction, Saga

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ABOUT THE BOOK:

In the chaos of that terrible night, her secret went down with the Titanic. But secrets have a way of floating to the surface… 

Trapped in an unhappy aristocratic marriage, Elinor Coombes sees only lonely days ahead of her. So a present from her father – tickets for the maiden voyage of a huge, luxurious new ship called the Titanic – offers a welcome escape from the cold, controlling atmosphere of her husband’s ancestral home, and some precious time with her little son, Teddy. 

When the ship goes down, Elinor realises the disaster has given her a chance to take Teddy and start a new life – but only if they can disappear completely, listed as among the dead. Penniless and using another woman’s name, she has to learn to survive in a world that couldn’t be more different from her own, and keep their secret safe.  

An uplifting story about grabbing your chances with both hands, and being brave enough to find out who you really are. 

BUY HERE

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MY REVIEW:

England, 1910. 19-year-old Elinor, the daughter of a wealthy Manchester mill owner known as ‘the cotton king’, marries aristocrat Frederick after a whirlwind romance. But she soon discovers that their whole relationship was carefully planned to prop up the family’s finances. Heartbroken, powerless and disillusioned, Elinor finds herself trapped in a loveless marriage and living with a cold family where she is criticised and sneered at each day. And after the birth of her dear son, Teddy, the situation only becomes bleaker. She is isolated from her son for all but a short time each day and Frederick changes his will so that if he should die it is his parents, and not Elinor, who become Teddy’s legal guardians. So, when her father gifts them tickets on the maiden voyage of the Titanic, Elinor sees it as a welcome escape and the chance to finally spend real time with Teddy.

When the iceberg hits, Elinor and Teddy make it into a lifeboat. But her father, Frederick and their maid, Molly, don’t make it out alive. Faced with the cruel conditions of Frederick’s will, Elinor seizes the chance the disaster has brought to start a new life in America. But she will have to disappear completely, take on a dead woman’s persona and learn to survive while penniless in a place that couldn’t be more different from all she is used to. 

Atmospheric, heartrending, evocative and alluring, The Lost Passenger is a mesmerising piece of historical fiction. It’s no secret that I’m a huge fan of Frances Quinn and have loved both of her previous books, and I’ve always had a fascination with the Titanic, so this book had my name written all over it. Exquisitely written and skilfully plotted, this was impossible to put down once I’d started reading. Frances’ meticulous research is evident in the smallest details on every page, especially her vivid descriptions of life on board the Titanic, adding an air of authenticity to the story that helped me lose myself in it completely. Ms. Quinn gets better with each book and this is undoubtedly her best one yet. 

This is a story about taking chances, survival, courage, resilience, emancipation, starting again, and having the bravery to discover who you really are. And as it moves between early 20th century England and New York, the story explores a number of topics including the complexities of marriage, the class system, familial obligations, patriarchy, immigration and working class life. In England everything feels subdued, quiet, cold and rigid, while New York is a cacophony of street vendors, crowds and different languages. The contrast is stark and both places seem to mirror what is going on inside Elinor; in England she is isolated, silenced and alone, while in New York she’s cramped, overwhelmed and traumatised. But what I loved most was the exploration of motherhood and how far a mother is prepared to go for the sake of her child. 

Elinor is a fantastic protagonist. She’s likeable, sympathetic and easy to root for at every step. I felt every emotion alongside her, breaking my heart in two many times, but also filling me with hope as Elinor bravely embarked on trying to create a new life for herself and her child. But taking on the persona of a dead woman isn’t something she did lightly. She’s haunted by guilt, fearful of discovery, and must overcome many hurdles both to create her new life and avoid her true identity being exposed. The supporting characters are equally as compelling and richly drawn. I particularly enjoyed reading Elinor’s father and Molly, but it was the New York family that I loved most of all. These were charismatic characters who radiated kindness and explored what it is that makes a true family. 

Powerful, immersive and uplifting, this is one of my favourite books this year and a must-have addition to your TBR. 

Rating: ✮✮✮✮✮

Thank you 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:

Frances Quinn grew up in London and read English at King’s College, Cambridge, realising too late that the course would require more than lying around reading novels for three years. After snatching a degree from the jaws of laziness, she became a journalist, writing for magazines including Prima, Good Housekeeping, She, Woman’s Weekly and Ideal Home, and later branched out into copywriting, producing words for everything from Waitrose pizza packaging to the EasyJet in-flight brochure. 

In 2013, she won a place on the Curtis Brown Creative novel writing course, and started work on her first novel. The Smallest Man was published in 2021 by Simon & Schuster with her follow up, That Bonesetter Woman, published in 2022. 

She lives in Brighton, with her husband and two Tonkinese cats.

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Thanks for reading, Bibliophiles xxxx

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book reviews Emma's Anticipated Treasures

BOOK REVIEW: The Household by Stacey Halls

Published: April 11th, 2024 by Manilla Press
Historical Fiction, Romance Novel, Thriller, Historical Thriller

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ABOUT THE BOOK:

THE CAPTIVATING NEW NOVEL, SET AGAINST CHARLES DICKENS’ HOME FOR FALLEN WOMEN

‘Absorbing . . . Halls weaves together the elements of her story with great skill’ Sunday Times
‘Compelling and richly detailed’ Good Housekeeping
‘Captivating’ Woman
‘Meticulously researched and compelling’ Red
‘Keeps the reader enthralled’ Prima
‘Exquisitely written . . . full of heart and hope’ Fabulous

NOT ALL WHO ARE FALLEN WANT TO BE SAVED

London, 1847. In a quiet house in the countryside outside London, the finishing touches are being made to welcome a group of young women. The house and its location are top secret, its residents unknown to one another, but the girls have one thing in common: they are fallen. Offering refuge for prostitutes, petty thieves and the destitute, Urania Cottage is a second chance at life – but how badly do they want it?

Meanwhile, a few miles away in a Piccadilly mansion, millionairess Angela Burdett-Coutts, one of the benefactors of Urania Cottage, makes a discovery that leaves her cold. Her stalker of ten years has been released from prison, and she knows it’s only a matter of time before their nightmarish game resumes once more.

As the women’s worlds collide in ways they could never have expected, they will discover that freedom always comes at a price . . .

The Household is the new novel from the award-winning, Sunday Times bestselling author of The Familiars, The Foundling and Mrs England. Set against Charles Dickens’ home for fallen women and inspired by real figures from history, it is Stacey Halls’ most ambitious and captivating novel yet.

buy here

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MY REVIEW:

The house she was promised, is the first clean page in a new book for girls like her . . .

London, 1847. Martha arrives at Urania House, a house that she has been promised is a new start for girls like her. Martha is the first resident at Charles Dickens’ new house for fallen women and is soon joined by other girls hoping for a fresh start. A place of refuge and reformation, the project and its location are a closely guarded secret and the girls are forbidden from discussing their lives before they arrived at the house. 

On the board of governors is Angela  Burdett Coutts, London’s richest woman. But as the house opens Angela’s world is upended when Richard Dunn, the man who has stalked her for a decade, is released early from prison. Angela knows it won’t be long before his nightmarish games begin again and she’s terrified. Trying to put her worries aside, Anglea becomes increasingly invested in the lives of the girls at Urania, especially Martha. And soon, their lives collide in unexpected ways. Are they prepared for the price they must pay for freedom?

Atmospheric, immersive and beguiling, The Household is another masterpiece from the pen of storyteller extraordinaire Stacey Halls. It’s no secret that Stacey is one of my favourite authors ever, and one of the nicest, too, so I am always excited when she releases another book. She just gets better every time and this one was close to knocking her debut from its spot as my favourite of her books.

I love books based on real events and real people so this was right up my street. Although, before this book I had no idea that Charles Dickens opened a house for fallen women. Expertly written, perfectly paced and acutely observed, this evocative story leaped from the pages  Stacey’s meticulous research is evident on every page, bringing Victorian London to life through every word and the smallest of details. I truly felt like I’d stepped into a time machine and emerged in my favourite era. And then there’s the characters. Every one, however big or small, is richly drawn, charismatic and memorable and I was completely invested in their lives. I had a real soft spot for Martha, Angela and Josephine, and Richard was a deliciously creepy villain who sent chills down my spine. Stacey had me completely in her thrall and I devoured this book in under a day.

This is a story about women. About the hardships they have endured and the ways in which they have learned to survive. These aren’t the meek and weak women that Victorian society would like them to be. Nor do they suffer in silence. These women are strong, determined and courageous. I loved these women, especially Martha, Josephine and Anglea, who are three of our narrators. They put me through the emotional wringer but I loved their stories and the sisterhood they shared. And knowing that Angela is based on a real person also made her even more fascinating to me, and I really enjoyed the conversation between Stacey and Sophia Money-Coutts, who is one of Angela’s descendants, at the end of the audiobook. 

Absorbing, accomplished and utterly mesmerising, this is a must-read for anyone who loves well-written historical fiction.

Rating: ✮✮✮✮✮

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

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MEET THE AUTHOR:

Stacey Halls was born in 1989 and grew up in Rossendale, Lancashire. She studied journalism at the University of Central Lancashire and has written for publications including the Guardian, Stylist, Psychologies, The Independent, The Sun and Fabulous.

Her debut novel, The Familiars, was published in 2019 and was the bestselling debut hardback novel of that year, won a Betty Trask Award and was shortlisted for the British Book Awards’ Debut Book of the Year. Her subsequent novels, The Foundling and Mrs England, were also Sunday Times bestsellers. The Household is her fourth novel.

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Thanks for reading, Bibliophiles xxxx

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

BOOK REVIEW: The Diamond Eye by Kate Quinn

Published March 22nd, 2022 by Harper Collins UK
Historical Fiction, Thriller, War Story, Drama, Biographical Fiction, Spy Fiction, Holiday Ficiton

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ABOUT THE BOOK:

The brand-new historical novel based on a true story from the bestselling author of The Rose Code and The Alice Network

*Goodreads Choice Awards Nominee: Best Historical Fiction 2022*

In the snowbound city of Kiev, aspiring historian Mila Pavlichenko’s life revolves around her young son – until Hitler’s invasion of Russia changes everything. Suddenly, she and her friends must take up arms to save their country from the Fuhrer’s destruction.

Handed a rifle, Mila discovers a gift – and months of blood, sweat and tears turn the young woman into a deadly sniper: the most lethal hunter of Nazis.

Yet success is bittersweet. Mila is torn from the battlefields of the eastern front and sent to America while the war still rages. There, she finds an unexpected ally in First Lady Eleanor Roosevelt, and an unexpected promise of a different future.

But when an old enemy from Mila’s past joins forces with a terrifying new foe, she finds herself in the deadliest duel of her life.

The Diamond Eye is a haunting novel of heroism born of desperation, of a mother who became a soldier, of a woman who found her place in the world and changed the course of history forever.

buy here

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MY REVIEW:

Powerful, atmospheric, immersive and intense, , The Diamond Eye is the remarkable story  of Lyudmila ‘Mila’ Pavlichenko, a Russian sniper during the Second World War who went on to become the deadliest sniper in history. It opens on  August 27th, 1942, when Mila is a Russian Envoy at the White House, before jumping back to November 1937, when she was an ordinary citizen in Kiev. Told by Mila, the Marksman, and in extracts from the diary of First Lady Eleanor Roosevelt, it then moves between timelines and narrators, blending fact with fiction as Kate Quinn tells the story in cinematic detail. 

Mila was a history maker and her story is one of an extraordinary life. But it didn’t start out that way. In 1937 she was 21 years old, an ordinary Russian citizen and a single mother to a five-year-old son. Vowing to be both mother and father to her son, she became an expert shooter to prove to him she could take on the male role he needed, and by the time Russia was invaded in 1941 she was an experienced marksman. Determined to defend her country, Mila joined the Red Army. And with no limits on what roles a woman can take in Russia, unlike the UK and USA, she becomes a sniper. Known to her enemies as ‘Lady Death’, Mila went on to become the deadliest female sniper in history, with 309 confirmed kills recorded. She was also the first Soviet citizen welcomed in the US when she travelled there on a goodwill tour, talking about her experiences as a female soldier and to advocate for their help opening a second front in Europe.

I loved this woman. Feisty, strong, intelligent, determined, ambitious and accomplished, she is someone I’d want on my side. She was also straightforward, with a bluntness that could sometimes come across as brusque to Americans. A staunch advocate of women’s rights, Mila was intent on demonstrating that girls can do anything boys can, demanding respect from her male peers instead of trying to impress them or being intimidated by them. She was an inspiration and a symbol of a strong woman, all whilst hiding her own heartache and trauma underneath. 

Books based on true stories are some of my favourites and I won’t forget this story of heroism, heartache, love, loss, feminism, war and self-discovery is one I won’t forget. Expertly written, meticulously researched, full of evocative imagery and richly drawn characters, Kate Quinn had me in her thrall from start to finish. And that ending! I was on tenterhooks, my heart racing, and then just when I thought it was all over…Bam! She delivers a jaw-dropping curveball that I didn’t see coming and I’m still trying to recover from. 

Action-packed, moving, suspenseful and haunting, The Diamond Eye is a breathtaking story that would be perfect on the big screen or adapted for Netflix and is a must for your TBR.

Rating: ✮✮✮✮✰

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ABOUT THE AUTHOR:

Kate Quinn is the New York Times and USA Today bestselling author of historical fiction. A native of southern California, she attended Boston University where she earned a Bachelor’s and Master’s degree in Classical Voice. She has written four novels in the Empress of Rome Saga, and two books in the Italian Renaissance, before turning to the 20th century with “The Alice Network”, “The Huntress,” “The Rose Code,” “The Diamond Eye,” and “The Briar Club.” She is also a co-author in several collaborative novels including “The Phoenix Crown” with Janie Chang and “Ribbons of Scarlet” with Stephanie Dray, Laura Kamoie, Eliza Knight, Sophie Perinot, and Heather Webb. “The Astral Library,” releasing in 2025, is her first foray into magical realism. Kate and her husband now live in Maryland with their two rescue dogs.

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Thanks for reading, Bibliophiles xxxxx

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BLOG TOUR: Scars of Silence (Lidingo Mysteries, 2) by Johana Gustawsson

Published November 20th, 2025 by Orenda Books
Gothic Fiction, Historical Fiction, Mystery, Historical Mystery, Psychological Fiction, Hardboiled, Police Procedural, Crime Fiction, Crime Series

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ABOUT THE BOOK:

When two teenagers are found brutally murdered on the island of Lidingö, dressed in white tunics and wearing crowns of candles, former French police officer Maïa Rehn joins local Commissioner Aleksander Storm to unravel a mystery with a shockingly dark heart. The highly anticipated sequel to the international bestselling gothic mystery, Yule Island.

‘A horrific, baffling crime startles a small Swedish community. This is perfect Scandi Noir, dripping with atmosphere. The writing shines, and the story is impossible to resist. Gustawsson is a master’ Shari Lapena

‘A gripping mystery simmering with social outrage – this is what crime fiction should be’ Alexandra Sokoloff

‘Johana Gustawsson is an extraordinarily talented storyteller, with a beautiful, eloquent writing style. Scars of Silence unfolds at a breathless pace, and the climax is devastating’ Kate Rhodes

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Twenty-three years ago, a young woman was murdered on the Swedish island of Lidingö. 
The island has kept its silence. 


Until now…

As autumn deepens into darkness in Lidingö, on the Stockholm archipelago, the island is plunged into chaos: in the space of a week, two teenaged boys are murdered. Their bodies are left deep in the forest, dressed in white tunics with crowns of candles on their heads, like offerings to Saint Lucia.


Maïa Rehn has fled Paris for Lidingö after a family tragedy. But when the murders shake the island community, the former police commissioner is drawn into the heart of the investigation, joining Commissioner Aleksander Storm to unravel a mystery as chilling as the Nordic winter.

As they dig deeper, it becomes clear that a wind of vengeance is blowing through the archipelago, unearthing secrets that are as scandalous as they are inhuman.

But what if the victims weren’t who they seemed? What if those long silenced have finally found a way to strike back?

How far would they go to make their tormentors pay?

And you – how far would you go?

BUY THE BOOK

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MY REVIEW:

Happy book birthday to this heart-pounding slice of Scandi-Noir!

The small Swedish community of Lidingo is left reeling when the body of a boy who has been brutally murdered is discovered. He is found dressed as St Lucia: wearing a white tunic with a crown of candles on his damaged skull. Parallels are immediately drawn with another brutal murder 24 years earlier. Aleksander Storm and Maia Rehn work together to try and solve the crime and search for links to the historic murder. When another boy is found killed and dressed in the same way, they start to wonder if they have a serial killer on their hands. And, as they dig deeper, they unearth scandalous secrets that point towards a killer out for revenge after being silenced for too long…

Dark, powerful, atmospheric and heart-poundingly tense, the second book in the Lidingo mysteries packs a punch from the start. Johana Gustawsson has become one of my favourite thriller writers in recent years. A sinister storytelling powerhouse, she gets better with each book and has delivered another nerve-shredding whodunnit that simmers with horror whilst also exploring timely and relevant social issues such as consent. Exquisitely written, cleverly choreographed, fast-paced and filled with surprising twists, Gustawsson had me on the edge of my seat from its shocking opening to its devastating conclusion. And that reveal? I never saw it coming! Bravo, Ms. Gustawsson, bravo. 

One of the things I love about a series is coming back to the characters, and it was great to be back with Aleks and Maia. They are compelling characters who I enjoy reading, and this time around both of them are going through their share of turmoil alongside their search for a killer. Gustawsson strikes the balance between their stories and the plot perfectly, never allowing the pace to drop for even a moment as she also helps us develop an even stronger bond with our protagonists. I can’t wait to return for book three!

A darkly chilling and addictive Scandi Noir that you don’t want to miss, I highly recommend this book and series.

Rating: ✮✮✮✮✮

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

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ABOUT THE AUTHOR:

Born in Marseille, France, and with a degree in Political Science, Johana Gustawsson has worked as a journalist for the French and Spanish press and Her critically acclaimed Roy & Castells series, including Block 46, Keeper and Blood Song, has won the Plume d’Argent, Balai de la découverte, Balai d’Or and Prix Marseillais du Polar awards, and is now published in nineteen countries. A TV adaptation is currently under way in a French, Swedish and UK co-production. The Bleeding was a number-one bestseller in France and is the first in a new series. Johana lives in Sweden with her Swedish husband and their three sons.

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ABOUT THE TRASLATOR:

David Warriner translates from French and nurtures a healthy passion for Franco, Nordic and British crime fiction. Growing up in deepest Yorkshire, he developed incurable Francophilia at an early age. Emerging from Oxford with a Modern Languages degree he narrowly escaped the graduate rat race by hopping on a plane to Canada – and never looked back. More than a decade into a high-powered commercial translation career, he listened to his heart and turned his hand to the delicate art of literary translation. David has lived in France and Quebec, and now calls beautiful British Columbia home.

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Thanks for reading, Bibliophiles xxxx

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

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book reviews Emma's Anticipated Treasures Most Anticipated 2025

BOOK REVIEW: The Woman in the Wallpaper by Lora Jones

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

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ABOUT THE BOOK:

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

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

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

buy here

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MY REVIEW:

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Rating: ✮✮✮✮✮

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

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ABOUT THE AUTHOR:

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

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

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

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Thanks for reading, Bibliophiles xxxx

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Audio Books book reviews Emma's Anticipated Treasures

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

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

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ABOUT THE BOOK:

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

Innsbruck 1485

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

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

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

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MY REVIEW:

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

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

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

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

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

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

Rating: ✮✮✮✮✮

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

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ABOUT THE AUTHOR:

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

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

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

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

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

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Thanks for reading, Bibliophiles xxxx

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Audio Books book reviews Emma's Anticipated Treasures

BOOK REVIEW: Victorian Psycho by Virginia Feito

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

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ABOUT THE BOOK:

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

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

NOW BEING ADAPTED FOR A MAJOR FILM BY A24

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MY REVIEW:

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

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

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

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

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

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

Rating: ✮✮✮✮.5

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ABOUT THE AUTHOR:

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

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Thanks for reading, Bibliophiles xxxx

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Blog Tours book reviews Emma's Anticipated Treasures

BLOG TOUR: The Boleyn Traitor by Philippa Gregory

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

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ABOUT THE BOOK:

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

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

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

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

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

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

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MY REVIEW:

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

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

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

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

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

Rating: ✮✮✮✮.5

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

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ABOUT THE AUTHOR:

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

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Thanks for reading, Bibliophiles xxxx

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Blog Tours book reviews Emma's Anticipated Treasures

BLOG TOUR REVIEW: The Waterfall by Gareth Rubin

Published September 25th, 2025 by Simon & Schuster UK
Historical Fiction, Suspense, Thriller

Welcome to my stop on the blog tour for this intricately intweroven historical mystery. Thank you to Anne at Random Things Tours for the invitation to take part, 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 BOOK:

A story about stories within stories, as four interconnected mysteries take the reader through the ages, from Shakespeare’s day to a 19th-century Gothic former Priory, to 1920s Venice, and finally to 1940s California, from the internationally bestselling author of The Turnglass.

We begin with the last testament of William Shakespeare as he investigates the real-life murder mystery of his friend, playwright Christopher Marlowe.

The second story is a 19th-century Gothic tale about the discovery of Shakespeare’s manuscript, set in an isolated former Priory, now a clinic for those who cannot sleep.

The third is a lighter Golden Age detective tale set in Venice, where private investigator Honora Feldman looks into a baffling case of theft and murder in the British expat community, with the Gothic story at its heart.

And finally, a 1940s American Noir, as Ken Kourian finds that a serial killer is recreating all the murders in The Waterfall, the companion book to his friend Oliver Tooke’s The Turnglass.

The Waterfall is a beguiling and intricate mystery that cements Gareth Rubin’s position as one of the most original authors writing today.

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MY REVIEW:

Darkly atmospheric, intricate and compelling, The Waterfall is a book about stories within stories that transports us from Shakespere’s Stratford to a 19th century Gothic former priory, to 1920s Venice, and then 1940s California in four interconnected mysteries.

Original, immersive and layered, this captivating story is a unique experience. Beautifully written, cleverly choreographed and rich in historic detail, Gareth Rubin showcases himself as a masterful storyteller with a style that is all his own. From the first pages I felt like I’d stepped back in time, Rubin bringing each era to life with his skillful use of language, vivid imagery and richly drawn characters. I’ll admit, it took me a little time to get used to the language used in the first story, but once I did I was completely lost in the narrative. 

I love reading books that merge fact with fiction, so the fact that the first story featured real people and a real murder piqued my interest straight away. Rubin’s reimagining of that mystery and the way that he connected it with the four other stories is nothing short of genius. I loved the concept of four interconnected stories but after reading this first one I couldn’t imagine how he could connect this 16th century murder to the other three timelines but Rubin pulls it off with finesse, expertly interweaving them together to create a story that moves between timelines and narrators. It is so well done that there were times I had to remind myself that the other characters weren’t real people and I was reading a work of fiction, not fact. All of the characters were richly drawn, dynamic and compelling, but my favourite was Pips and I wish there’d been more of her. 

There is so much more I’d love to say about this book but that would mean spoilers and I don’t do those! So, I’ll just say that if you’re looking for a well-written historical mystery with a difference, then this is the book for you.

Rating: ✮✮✮✮✰

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ABOUT THE AUTHOR:

Gareth Rubin writes about social affairs, travel and the arts for British newspapers. In 2013 he directed a documentary about therapeutic art at the Bethlem Royal Hospital in London (‘Bedlam’). 
His books include Liberation Square, set in Soviet-occupied London; The Winter Agent, about British agents in Paris on the eve of D-Day and The Turnglass, two entwined mysteries that take place in Essex in 1881 and Los Angeles in 1939.
He read English literature at the University of St Andrews and trained at East 15 Acting School.

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Thanks for reading, Bibliophiles xxxx

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