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book reviews Emma's Anticipated Treasures Most Anticipated 2026

BOOK REVIEW: Peck & Peck by Bonnie Garmus

Published October 13th, 2026 by Manilla Press
Historical Fiction, Literary Fiction, Humorous Fiction, Coming-of-Age Story

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ABOUT THE BOOK:

The number one bestselling author of global sensation Lessons in Chemistry returns. Peck & Peck is the irresistible story of a young man whose life is turned upside down when he is hired by the most prestigious, secretive and dysfunctional poetry journal in the world: the renowned Peck & Peck . . .

‘Charming, uplifting, soulful, and original’ KRISTIN HANNAH, bestselling author of The Women

‘A brilliant satire that’s full of humor and heart’ MEG MASON, bestselling author of Sorrow and Bliss

It’s 1982, New York City. Crime is on the rise, muggings are in the streets, and Batter Gray, recent college graduate with a skill that no one wants – an ‘ear’ for poetry – is worried about his future. While all his friends have real jobs, he’s folding T-shirts at the Gap. As for love? No. Not unless you count Sallie Mae, the student loan tyrant. He hears from Sallie all the time.

But when Batter gets a dream job at Peck & Peck, the most prestigious poetry quarterly in the world, his life moves into the literary fast lane. Soon Batter is knee-deep in the secret war between the two Editors in Chief, the famous Peck brothers – twins and enemies – as well as being privy to the private affairs of their thirty-nine editors, whose professed mission is the same: Find originality. Reward creativity. Burn the rest. And by ‘burn’, they mean incinerate.

Because at Peck & Peck, ‘good’ isn’t good enough, ‘interesting’ doesn’t cut it, plagiarists aren’t tolerated, and parolees run the mailroom. Still want to submit your poem? Go with God.

Welcome to another dazzling and unforgettable novel from Bonnie Garmus, author of Lessons in Chemistry. Hugely original, brilliantly funny and peopled with unforgettable characters, Peck & Peck is both a passionate ode to the written word and a heartwarming exploration of all that makes us human.

BUY HERE

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MY REVIEW:

Meet Batter Gray. An ordinary man with an extraordinary ‘ear’ for poetry, Batter has always dreamed of working for Peck and Peck, the best poetry quarterly in the world. But life isn’t going the way he hoped. His college friends are getting well-paid jobs while he’s juggling three menial jobs and struggling to make ends meet. Then fate steps in and Batter finds himself outside the offices of Peck and Peck. He’s granted an interview and is thrilled to get the job; even though he’s in the copy room rather than editing the journal. But Batter soon realises that there’s something strange going on at Peck and Peck and finds himself caught in the crossfires between the twin brothers fighting for control of the quarterly. 

WHAT. A. BOOK. Witty, wise, heartwarming and uplifting, this magnificent story is a balm for the soul. Feeling both fantastical and yet also firmly rooted in reality, this moving story invites us to step inside a world made of poetry and words that you will get lost in. A story about life, love, friendship, family and standing up for what you believe in, it contains many life lessons and thought-provoking moments that will stay with me. I never wanted it to end. But I will admit, I’d been nervous before starting this book. I loved Lessons in Chemistry and its protagonist Elizabeth Zott so much that I was worried this wouldn’t meet my high hopes. But I needen’t have worried. Bonnie Garmus showcases she is no one-hit wonder with this spectacular story. She also shows us she has a style of writing that is distinctly all her own, creating joyful stories about quirky characters that will break and then mend your heart.

This is a book that contains lots of small details that enhance the joy of reading it. The book opens with a list of the different definitions of ‘peck’, something I loved and really set the tone of the story. Then, as a namenerd I loved the unusual names in this book and the story of how Batter the human got his name. And I can’t write this review without mentioning the scene setting. From the extraordinary offices of Peck and Peck to the city of New York, the imagery is so evocative and detailed that these places leapt from the page and felt like characters in their own right.

Bonnie has filled the book with a cast of original, offbeat and flawed characters who leap from the pages. Batter is an unforgettable protagonist who manages to be both the everyman and totally stand out from the crowd. I loved his best friend, Paul, and his parents, but my favourite character is Batter’s namesake, Batter the dog. I loved this iconic character. Although he is only ever a memory that we hear about when Batter’s mum tells her wild stories of the dog’s heroics, he was so vividly written that he felt alive. Another thing I enjoyed is that we were never completely sure who the ‘bad guy’ was and Bonnie kept me guessing and there were a number of reveals that took me by surprise. 

This unforgettable story is a must for every reader’s TBR.

Rating: ✮✮✮✮✮

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

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ABOUT THE AUTHOR:

Bonnie Garmus is a coffee-dependent American novelist. Her debut novel, Lessons in Chemistry, was a Good Morning America Book Club Pick, a Goodreads Choice Best Book of the Year, and a Barnes & Noble Book of the Year. It spent nearly two years on the New York Times bestseller list, nearly three years on Der Spiegel, was selected as one of the top 100 books in the 21st Century by readers of the New York Times and was voted #5 of Australia’s ABC Radio Top 100 Books of the 21st Century. Selected by Queen Camilla for the Queen’s Reading Room, it has been honored with sixteen other international literary awards. Translated into more than forty languages, it was made into an Apple TV limited series. Peck & Peck is her second novel.

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Thanks for reading, Bibliophiles xxxxx

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BOOK REVIEW: Last Night at the Telegraph Club by Malinda Lo

Published March 18th, 2021 by Hodder
Historical Fiction, Romance Novel, Lesbian Literature, Young Adult Literature, Bildungsroman

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ABOUT THE BOOK:

WINNER OF THE NATIONAL BOOK AWARD FOR YOUNG ADULT LITERATURE; THE ASIAN PACIFIC AMERICAN AWARD FOR YOUTH LITERATURE; THE STONEWALL BOOK AWARD (YA); THE PRINTZ HONOR
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‘A gripping novel where historical fiction meets romance, Last Night at the Telegraph is a whirlwind read… Immersive and creative.’ – Gay Times

‘Lo’s writing . . . shimmers with the thrills of youthful desire. A lovely, memorable novel’ – Sarah Waters, author of Tipping the Velvet and The Night Watch.

From the award winning author of Ash comes a gripping story of love and duty set in San Francisco’s Chinatown during the 1950s.

Seventeen-year-old Lily Hu can’t remember exactly when the question took root, but the answer was in full bloom the moment she and Kathleen Miller walked under the flashing neon sign of a lesbian bar called the Telegraph Club.

America in 1954 is not a safe place for two girls to fall in love, especially not in Chinatown. Red-Scare paranoia threatens everyone, including Chinese Americans like Lily. With deportation looming over her father – despite his hard-won citizenship – Lily and Kath risk everything to let their love see the light of day.

BUY HERE

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MY REIVEW:

Chinatown, 1954. Seventeen-year-old Lily Hu can’t remember when she started questioning her sexuality, but she knew the answer as soon as she accompanied Kathleen to a lesbian bar called the Telegraph Club. But 1950s America – and especially Chinatown – is not a safe place for two girls to fall in love. Lily is torn. Deportation already looms over her family and she knows that if her relationship is discovered, it will only mean more trouble for them. But she can’t let Kath go and risks everything for love. 

Powerful, moving, immersive and compelling, Last Night at the Telegraph Club was a thought-provoking read. This book was not on my radar until I started researching banned historical fiction books for my Little Stack article and came across it. Malinda Lo’s writing is beautiful, raw and deeply human. It is clear she has done her research and I enjoyed the timeline sections that gave extra historical context to the story. Malinda also goes further into this in her author’s note, where she also shares that this book was inspired by her own family history. Unfortunately, the topics covered in this book have led to it becoming the fourth most banned book in the U.S  during the 2024-2025 school year. That is a tragedy to me as I believe many young people would benefit from reading this story. But it has also won awards which makes much more sense to me as it is a truly magnificent read.

The 1950s are not that long ago and it is always sobering to read a story that reminds us just how much has changed since that time. My heart broke for Lily, Kath and the other women as they were forced to hide who they are and who they love or face devastating consequences. And Lily had the extra pressure of being a Chinese immigrant at a time when people were threatened with deportation if they were suspected of being communists. I was shocked at some of the historic details about what they went through and can’t imagine how hard it must have been.

A heart-rending and unforgettable story of love, sexual awakening, identity, loyalty and prejudice, I highly recommend this book.

Rating: ✮✮✮✮✰

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ABOUT THE AUTHOR:

Malinda Lo is the New York Times bestselling author of seven novels, including most recently A Scatter of Light.

Her novel Last Night at the Telegraph Club won the National Book Award, the Stonewall Book Award, the Asian/Pacific American Award for Literature, a Michael L. Printz Honor, and was an LA Times Book Prize finalist.

Her books have received 15 starred reviews and have been finalists for multiple awards, including the Andre Norton Award and the Lambda Literary Award. Born in Guangzhou, China, Malinda immigrated to the United States as a child with her family, and grew up near Boulder, Colorado. She now lives in Massachusetts with her wife and their dog.

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Thanks for reading, Bibliophiles xxxx

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BOOK REVIEW: The Wine-Dark Sea by Victoria Hislop

Published September 24th, 2026 by Headline
Historical Fiction, Contemporary Fiction

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ABOUT THE BOOK:

Beloved, bestselling author Victoria Hislop explores the chaos unleashed on Greek families during the post-war era in this page-turning new novel that will delight fans who cherish The Island and The Figurine.

Greece, 1946. In the power vacuum remaining after the Second World War, a brutal civil war erupts between rival left- and right-wing factions. The conflict spirals as the country pays a bitter price in human lives and fighting soon erupts in the mountains, turning villages into battlefields and pulling ordinary women and children into the fray.

When the government soldiers come to Kalopetra, Fotini is nursing her newborn second child. She urges her daughter, Iliana, to hide with the older children as she and the other women are herded into trucks. Weeks later, soldiers return for the children . . . but they are not to be reunited with their mothers, a wholly different fate awaits them.

Fotini finds herself transported to a prison on the island of Chios, where she befriends Markella, whose little son, Nikos, is wise beyond his years. After months of imprisonment, when Fotini and Markella find themselves separated from one another – and from Nikos – Fotini vows to hunt not only for her own child but for Markella’s too.

The Wine-Dark Sea tells of families flung apart across continents and of a strong, determined mother who resolves not to let war destroy hers.

Victoria Hislop is at the height of her storytelling powers in this compelling and thought-provoking new novel, which offers insight into a little-known chapter of Greek history.

BUY HERE

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MY REVIEW:

As World War II ends, a new battle is beginning in Greece. A civil war that will rage for decades and tear families apart. Nowhere is safe, not even the small mountain village where Fotini lives with her daughter, Iliana, and newborn son. When the government soldiers come, Fotini encourages Iliana to hide with the other children as she and the other women are herded into trucks and taken away. Fotini is transported to a prison on the island of Chios, where she befriends Markella and her son, Nikos, a strange but wise boy. Meanwhile, weeks after their mothers were taken, trucks had returned to the village for the children. But they aren’t being reunited with their mothers. Instead, they face a long and arduous journey to a different fate. We then follow the characters as they are torn apart and try to come back together in this epic story of family, friendship, survival, war and hope.

The Wine-Dark Sea is a powerful, moving and thought-provoking story. With skillful storytelling and rich historic detail, Victoria Hislop brings this little-known chapter in Greek history vividly to life. Hislop’s meticulous research is evident on every page, bringing the characters and story to life in vivid detail. And she held me tight by the heartstrings, making me feel every emotion alongside the characters as I turned the pages and I was an emotional wreck by the end.

I loved how Hislop showcased the dichotomy of people’s experiences during the conflict. The best example of this was through Iliana and Fontin’s experiences immediately after being taken from their village. After her arduous journey, Iliana finds herself in a utopia where she has knowledge, food, equality and a life she enjoys. Meanwhile, Fotini is imprisoned without enough food, is surrounded by dying women and just wants to go back to her old life.

The captivating and memorable characters were a joy to read. I particularly loved reading feisty Iliana and wise Nikos. My mother’s heart went out to Fotini and Markella, who had a wonderful friendship that lasted through the years. And it was so fun to see a cameo from some of the characters from The Island. 

Rating: ✮✮✮✮✰

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

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ABOUT THE AUTHOR:

Victoria Hislop studied English Literature at Oxford University and afterwards worked in book publishing, PR and journalism. During her time as a journalist, she wrote on education and travel for national newspapers and magazines and was sent on assignments around the world.

Inspired by a visit to Spinalonga, the abandoned Greek leprosy colony, Victoria wrote The Island in 2005.  She was named Newcomer of the Year at the British Book Awards and the novel became an international bestseller, translated into 40 languages, with over 6 million copies sold worldwide.  It was turned into a 26-part Greek TV series which achieved record ratings for Greece.

Her affection for the Mediterranean then took her to Spain, and in The Return she wrote about the painful secrets of its civil war.

In her third novel, The Thread, Victoria returned to Greece to tell the extraordinary and turbulent tale of Thessaloniki and its people across the 20th century. Published in 2011 to widespread acclaim, it confirmed her reputation as an inspirational storyteller and was shortlisted for a British Book Award.  The Thread is currently in development with a Greek TV production company, Heretic.

The Sunrise, set in Cyprus and published in 2014, was followed by Cartes Postales from Greece, which is her first work of fully colour-illustrated fiction and was also short-listed for the British Book Awards fiction title of the year.  It was adapted into a twelve-part drama for ERT1 in 2021.

Those Who Are Loved, published in 2019, tells the story of Greece’s traumatic period of occupation and civil war during the 20th century.

In 2020, came the sequel to The Island, One August Night, and Victoria was executive producer on the adaptation for Greek state television.

Victoria’s first book for children, Maria’s Island (listed by Waterstones as one of the best children’s books of the year) was also published in 2020 – and is an adaptation of The Island for a younger audience.

Her latest novel, The Figurine, was a number 1 bestseller in paperback  A central theme is the looting of archaeological treasures and the meaning of “home”.

Most of Victoria’s novels have hit the number one position in the UK charts, but have also been bestsellers in Greece, China, France, Israel and Norway.  She has won several literary awards in France.

As well as studying the Greek language (it is her ultimate ambition to read everything and anything without the presence of a dictionary by her side), she spends her spare time reading, swimming, boxing, playing tennis and, these days, dancing (having been a contestant in Greece’s version of “Strictly” in 2021).

She is an ambassador for Lepra, a UK charity that raises money to treat the estimated three million leprosy sufferers worldwide, and is also an avid supporter of the National Literacy Trust which promotes reading in the UK.  Victoria is Patron of Knossos 2025 which has raised funds to renew the British School of Athens research centre in Crete and she has recently been appointed Vice-President of the BSA.

In 2019, Victoria was awarded an Honorary Doctorate by the University of Sheffield, and in 2020 she was given Honorary Citizenship by the Greek President for her promotion of Greece. She is a member of the British Committee for the Reunification of the Parthenon Marbles (BCRPM)

In 2024 Victoria became a Fellow of the Royal Society of Literature

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BOOK REVIEW: Midnight at Malabar House by Vaseem Khan

Published August 20th, 2020 by Hodder & Stoughton
Hisotorical Fiction, Historical Mystery, Crime Fiction, Thriller, Mystery, Police Procedural, Adventure Fiction, Suspense

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ABOUT THE BOOK:

*** WINNER OF THE CWA SAPERE BOOKS HISTORICAL DAGGER 2021, and an INTERNATIONAL BESTSELLER ***

‘The leading character is the deftly drawn Persis Wadia, the country’s first female detective. She’s a wonderful creation and this is a hugely enjoyable book’ ANN CLEEVES

‘This is historical crime fiction at its best – a compelling mix of social insight and complex plotting with a thoroughly engaging heroine. A highly promising new series’ MAIL ON SUNDAY

Bombay, New Year’s Eve, 1949

As India celebrates the arrival of a momentous new decade, Inspector Persis Wadia stands vigil in the basement of Malabar House, home to the city’s most unwanted unit of police officers. Six months after joining the force she remains India’s first female police detective, mistrusted, sidelined and now consigned to the midnight shift.
And so, when the phone rings to report the murder of prominent English diplomat Sir James Herriot, the country’s most sensational case falls into her lap.

As 1950 dawns and India prepares to become the world’s largest republic, Persis, accompanied by Scotland Yard criminalist Archie Blackfinch, finds herself investigating a case that is becoming more political by the second. Navigating a country and society in turmoil, Persis, smart, stubborn and untested in the crucible of male hostility that surrounds her, must find a way to solve the murder – whatever the cost.

BUY HERE

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MY REVIEW:

Bombay, New Year’s Eve, 1949. Inspector Persis Wadia spends the evening standing vigil in the basement of Malabar House, home to the city’s most unwanted unit of police officers. Persis is India’s first female police detective and people haven’t exactly been welcoming. She faces sexism, mistrust and scathing criticism, which is why she has been consigned to the midnight shift. But then the phone rings. Prominent English diplomat Sir James Herriot has been murdered. And Persis realises that the most sensational case in the country has just fallen into her lap. 

Intriguing, clever, tense and totally riveting, Vassem Khan has crafted a book that feels like an Indian Agatha Christie. Transporting us to post-Partition India, he introduces us to maverick cop Persis. Gutsy, headstrong, driven and formidable, Persis is a brilliant protagonist who would fit right in with Poirot or Marple. Unafraid to defy convention or challenge authority, Peris is more than up for the challenge of being India’s first female detective. I was rooting for her to prove her haters wrong at every step and am so glad this is a series so I can see what is next for her.

Although I’ve had Khan’s books on my shelves for years, I’m ashamed to say that this was my first time reading one of them. Why did I wait so long? At least doing so means I have his extensive backlist waiting for me to discover. Skillfully written, richly drawn and filled with complex plotting, this is a first-class cosy mystery. Khan knows how to keep his readers on their toes, delivering an array of suspects who all have reasons to kill the victim so that the answers are hard to predict. 

One thing I particularly loved was Khan’s decision to set the story during such a fascinating and tumultuous time in Indian history. It is an era I was unfamiliar with before picking up this book, but one of my favourite parts of reading historical fiction is learning about new historical events. Overflowing with Indian history, Khan’s extensive research is evident in every small detail, exploring themes such as colonialism, racism and sexism. 

This outstanding cosy mystery is a must for your TBR.

Rating: ✮✮✮✮✰

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ABOUT THE AUTHOR:

Vaseem Khan is the author of two award-winning crime series set in India, and the Q Mysteries, beginning with Quantum of Menace, the first in a murder mystery series featuring Q from the James Bond franchise. His debut, The Unexpected Inheritance of Inspector Chopra, was selected by the Sunday Times as one of the 40 best crime novels published 2015-2020. In 2021, Midnight at Malabar House, the first in the Malabar House novels set in 1950s Bombay, won the CWA Historical Dagger. Vaseem was born in England, but spent a decade working in India. Between 2023-2025, Vaseem served as the Chair of the UK Crime Writers’ Association. In 2025, his first psychological thriller, The Girl in Cell A, was published, set in small town America.

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BOOK REVIEW: A Beautiful Way To Die by Eleni Kyriacou

Published May 8th, 2025 by Head of Zeus
Historical Fiction, Crime Fiction, Thriller, Historical Thriller, Mystery, Hollywood Noir

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ABOUT THE BOOK:

Don’t miss the new novel from Eleni Kyriacou, author of BBC Between the Covers pick The Unspeakable Acts of Zina Pavlou.

‘Deeply atmospheric… From movie star glamour to the rotten core of fame, I couldn’t put this down.’ LOUISE HARE
‘Evocative, tense, seductive.’ TAMMY COHEN

PLAY THEIR GAME
Hollywood, 1953. Young actress Ginny Watkins is turning heads. Even the legendary – and married – actor Max Whitman can’t resist the allure of the hottest new starlet. He promises Ginny the world, in return for the right favour.

DO WHAT THEY SAY
London, 1954. Stella Hope, once the most famous actress in Hollywood, has been ousted to Ealing Studios after her divorce from the powerful Max. Just as she accepts her fate, she receives a letter, blackmailing her for a mistake she made many years ago.

OR THEY’LL BURY YOU
Two women on either side of stardom find themselves in the orbit of the same beguiling man. And one night, in the shadows of a glamorous Oscars afterparty, their lives are changed forever.

A Beautiful Way to Die delves into the decadence and depravity of the early film industry from Hollywood to London. Perfect for fans of The Seven Husbands of Evelyn Hugo, and films like Once Upon a Time in Hollywood and Babylon.

buy here

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MY REVIEW:

A captivating exploration of the dark underbelly of Hollywood that lies beneath the glitz, glamour and fame, A Beautiful Way To Die is enthralling, taut and poignant. Written with style, pose, beauty and packing a strong emotional punch, it has a cinematic edge that makes it feel perfect for the big screen. Cleverly plotted and intricately interwoven, Eleni Kyriacou had me in her thrall from start to finish with her red herrings and surprising twists.  A superb story of feminism, friendships, secrets, misogyny and true crime, I inhaled this book in under a day.

Moving between L.A and London in the 1950s we follow the stories of four women: disgraced Hollywood starlet Stella, actress Ginny who is trying to make it big in Hollywood, make-up artist Maggie and an unnamed woman who has been locked in a sanatorium. The world they inhabit is very much a man’s world. A time when misogyny is rife, women have come to expect sexual assault and men’s misdeeds are covered up, especially in Hollywood. They are seen as disposable and easily replaced. This brings us to Stan Fisher is a Hollywood exec and ‘fixer’. He not only runs the studio and rules these women’s lives, he also covers up the men’s actions. But although there are dire consequences for stepping out of line, these women refuse to stay quiet and are fighting back.

I loved these fierce, strong and sassy women who pushed back and refused to behave. It’s because of brave women like them we have the rights we do today and I was cheering them on every step of the way. They and the other characters were charismatic, captivating and richly drawn. There are some truly vile, odious brutes who enraged me and the book is overflowing with unreliable narrators so we never feel sure about who we can trust. But it was the  mysterious, unnamed woman in the asylum I felt drawn to the most. Who was she? What is the truth behind the haunting flashes of memory she keeps having? I had a few theories but none of them were correct and my jaw hit the floor when her identity was finally revealed. 

And don’t miss the author’s note at the end with some fascinating facts and insight into the story.

Rating: ✮✮✮✮.5

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

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ABOUT THE AUTHOR:

​Eleni Kyriacou was born and raised in London to Greek Cypriot parents. She’s an award-winning editor and journalist and she has appeared in publications such as the Guardian, the Observer, Marie Claire, Red and Stella. She’s written on a wide range of topics including adoption, relationships, travel, self-development, the arts and women’s health.

Her first novel She Came to Stay was published by Hodder in 2020, and her second, The Unspeakable Acts of Zina Pavlou (Head of Zeus, 2023) was a BBC 2’s Between the Covers pick.

A Beautiful Way to Die (Head of Zeus) was published in 2025.

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BLOG TOUR: A House in Winter by Emily Hourican

Publised September 3rd, 2026 by Eriu
Historical Fiction, Biographical Fiction

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ABOUT THE BOOK:

Set in January 1965, A House in Winter tells the story of the visit of Princess Margaret and Lord Snowden to his sister’s home in Abbeyleix, Ireland, when they faced local opposition and IRA petrol bomb attacks that confined them, without electricity, for 48 fraught hours.

As well as the conflict outside the walls, there’s plenty within, with Margaret’s difficult mother in law gleefully contributing to her disintegrating marriage. Meanwhile in the nearby village local woman Cait has struggles of her own, unable to escape family responsibilities and small town life.

Inspired by real events, A House in Winter is an atmospheric and richly observed novel about duty, marriage and the different forms of captivity. Blending royal intrigue with compelling Irish community drama, it will appeal to readers of The Crown, Wendy Holden’s The Duchess, Daisy Goodwin’s Victoria and the warm, character-driven storytelling of Maeve Binchy.

BUY HERE

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MY REVIEW:

Told from multiple points of view, at its heart this is a book about two very different women caught up in the same event. Set in 1965, it takes us to County Laois, Ireland where Princess Margaret and her husband, Lord Snowden (Anthony Armstrong-Jones) are staying in Abbeyleix House with his sister Susan, Viscountess de Vesci, and her husband John, Viscount de Vesci. Cait is an ordinary Irish girl struggling to make ends meet while running her family shop and caring for her sick mother. Though the pair never meet, their lives collide over the course of the few days the princess is in town. Cait is there with other well-wishers to greet the royal couple when they arrive. But there are also hostile elements at the gate protesting their presence. Margaret is dismissive of the threat the IRA pose, but on the night of January 8th 1965, petrol bombs were thrown over the house’s walls, hitting the electricity transformer and leaving those inside Abbeyleix, and many surrounding houses, without electricity for forty-eight hours. The story follows both women over the course of those hours as they try to deal with the fall-out of the attack and wait for the perpetrators to be caught. 

I love a book that is based on a true story. So as soon as I read the description of this book I jumped at the chance to read it and be on the blog tour. Claustrophobic, transportive and compelling, Emily Hourican had me in her thrall from start to finish. Beautifully written, meticulously researched and evocatively told, Emily pours so much depth and humanity onto these pages. It wasn’t an easy read at times, exploring themes including toxic marriage, post natal depression, dysfunctional family relationships, grief, chronic illness and extremism. I lived every moment alongside these characters and enjoyed how Ms. Hourican showcased that no matter who we are, our lives all contain struggles alongside the triumphs, and that even a princess who seems to have it all can feel like a bird trapped in a cage. Beautifully written, meticulously researched and filled with evocative imagery, I couldn’t put this one down once I’d started and read it in under a day.

The characters are so well written. I loved how Princess Margaret felt like a real, three-dimensional person who I could connect with rather than a caricature. And I loved Cait. I was rooting for them both and hoping they’d find their way  to a happier life where they were no longer trapped by duty. And though she’s a terrible person, I loved reading Anne, Tony’s mother, as she was just so well written and entertaining. But I couldn’t stand Tony. He was an awful man who treated his wife terribly and served as a sad reminder that not even being a princess can protect you from being ensnared by an abuser.

A riveting piece of historical fiction that is not to be missed. 

Rating: ✮✮✮✮✰

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

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ABOUT THE AUTHOR:

Emily Hourican is a journalist and author. She has written features for the Sunday Independent for 15 years, as well as Image magazine, Condé Nast Traveler and Woman and Home. She was also editor of three magazines. Her debut novel, THE PRIVILEGED, was shortlisted for the 2016 Irish Book Awards in the Best Commercial Fiction. Emily was born in Belfast, grew up in Brussels, and went to school in University College Dublin, where she earned a Masters in English Literature. She lives in Dublin with her husband and three children.

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Thanks for reading, Bibliohphiles xxxx

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

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SQUADPOD FEATURED BOOK: Lochbound by Rebecca Templeton

Published April 16th, 2026 by Sphere
Fairy Tale, Gothic Fiction, Historical Fiction, Historical Fantasy, Romance Novel, Romantic Fantasy

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ABOUT THE BOOK:

Mermaids. Monsters. Magic. But this story is no fairy tale . . .

Kilmara, Scotland. 1725. For fifty years, Iris has accepted the curse that blighted her life. By night, she is a heartbroken woman, destined to walk the misty shores of Kilmara without growing older. By day, she is Moireach, a terrifying monster imprisoned in the murky depths of Loch Moine.

When bodies begin appearing on the shore, the villagers are convinced Moireach is responsible. So a hunter – the rugged, ruthless Henry Carver – is summoned to slay the monster of the loch.

Iris must break her curse before she is killed for crimes she cannot believe she has committed. But as Kilmara’s hunt for the monster becomes ever more fevered, she and Henry are drawn together in a dangerous game of impossible attraction.

And when a figure from Iris’s past suddenly reappears, she must choose what – or who – she is willing to sacrifice to win her freedom.

Because there is no happily-ever-after when you are the monster.

A glitteringly dark reimagining of The Little Mermaid set in eighteenth-century Scotland, this enchanting and gothic historical fantasy is perfect for fans of Rosie Andrews’s The Leviathan, Georgia Leighton’s Spellbound and anyone who loved Outlander.

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MY REVIEW:

Kilmara, Scotland, 1725. Bound by a curse, for fifty years, Iris has walked the shores by night as a heartbroken woman and inhabited the murky depths of Loch Moine by day as Moireach, a terrifying monster. When bodies that have been brutally murdered and mutilated start appearing on the shore, the villagers are convinced that the monster in the sea is responsible. So, they call hunter Henry Carver to slay her. Iris knows it is only a matter of time before he finds her so she must find a way to break her curse before she is killed for crimes she doesn’t believe she committed. But things become complicated when she and Henry find themselves drawn to one another. Can she keep her monstrous identity from him?

Dark, haunting, gothic and alluring, Lochbound is a spellbinding twisted fairytale. A retelling of The Little Mermaid merged with Scottish folklore, this story of mermaids, monsters, murder, magic, legend and love had me in a chokehold from start to finish. The Little Mermaid is my favourite fairytale and I’ve been fascinated by selkies and kelpies for years, so I knew as soon as I read the description that this was a book I had to read. And I loved every moment spent with this story and the characters. Exquisitely written, perfectly choreographed and filled with heart-pounding tension, this is the definition of a page-turner. Debut author Rebecca Templeton is a talented storyteller and I can’t wait to read whatever she writes next.

The book is filled with compelling and memorable characters who I loved reading. Some of them might appear good and others bad at first, but all of them contain shades of both, are flawed and nuanced. Iris and Moireach are the perfect example of this and I love how Rebecca used them to portray the battle between good and evil. Moireach is the physical embodiment of evil. A vault for Iris’s darkest thoughts. We see the powerful internal battle that Iris faces after opening a connection between them as she desperately battles to keep control as Moireach fights to consume her with darkness.

The attraction between Iris and Henry is so well written and it is easy to see why they are so drawn to one another. This could have been hard to believe as unbeknownst to him, Henry is hunting Iris’s daytime form, but Rebecca writes with such care that we can see how their romance is blossoming against the odds. I also really enjoyed how she wrote Duncan’s obsessive, unrequited love for Iris. I know he’s her friend but he gave me the ick from the start and I am sure he was deliberately written that way.

A gorgeous gothic and folkloric tale, this is a must-read 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:

​Rebecca has had a love of books from a very early age and had lofty childhood aspirations of being a writer, though she ended up joining the legal profession instead. When her husband encouraged her to start writing again, she re-discovered her creative outlet and hasn’t looked back since.

When not writing or working, Rebecca can usually be found crocheting giant blankets, baking or watching Gilmore Girls. She is also owned by a couple of very energetic children.

Her debut novel, Lochbound, was published in April 2026.

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Thanks for reading, Bibliophiles xxxxx

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book reviews Emma's Anticipated Treasures

BOOK REVIEW: They Can’t Burn Us All by Cathryn Kemp

Published August 13th, 2026 by Bantam
Historical Fiction, Historical Fantasy, Fairy Tale, Dark Fantasy, Adventure Fiction

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ABOUT THE BOOK:

From the award-winning author of A Poisoner’s Tale comes a dark, feminist retelling of the most famous witch trial in 17th-century Iceland, perfect for fans of The Witches of Vardo and The Mercies

Westfjords, Iceland. 1655

Þuríður Jónsdóttir has grown up praying to the old gods and watching her father and brother practise rune magic.

But now, a witch-hunting craze is sweeping across the land of ice and fire, fuelled by the Protestant Reformation. Unlike elsewhere in Europe, those condemned as witches here are not women, but men of learning. And when Þuríður’s father and brother are accused of witchcraft and condemned to burn at the stake, she is helpless to save them.

As Lutheran Pastor Jón Magnússon’s accusing gaze turns to Þuríður herself, the first woman to be called ‘witch’, he will find that she is no ordinary woman.

She is prepared to fight back. But at what cost?

And in an age of fear and persecution, whose side will the community take? Who will fight for justice?

Set against a backdrop of sweeping religious and social change, They Can’t Burn Us All is a feminist retelling of Iceland’s notorious Kirkjuból witch trials.

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MY REVIEW:

One of the things I love about historical fiction is when a true story is retold and I learn about things I’d never heard of before. Obviously, we all know about the witch trials. But I knew little about Iceland’s witch trials and nothing about the witch trials of Kirkjuból. 

Westfjords, Iceland. 1655. Þuríður Jónsdóttir has grown up praying to the old gods and watching her father and brother make a living practising rune magic. But the King of Denmark has declared praying to the old gods and a crime and witch trials are sweeping through Iceland. Then, Lutheran Pastor Jón Magnùsson accuses her father and brother of witchcraft, puts them on trial and sentences them to burn at the stake. Powerless to save them, Þuríður is left alone. But the Pastor isn’t done with her family yet. He turns his attention to Þuríður and accuses her of being a witch, making her the first woman in Iceland to face such an accusation. But Þuríður won’t go down without a fight and the Pastor is about to discover she is no ordinary woman…

Cathryn Kemp shows that her debut was no one trick wonder by delivering another powerful and unforgettable retelling. Darkly atmospheric, haunting, heartrending and unsettling, I was under her spell from the first page to the last. Exquisitely written and meticulously researched, the story is so detailed that I could feel the icy snow, smell the stench of the jails and hear the raven’s cries. A story of female agency, female rage, prejudice, religious fever and the power of silence, there is a real sense of urgency, fire and savagery on these pages. These women’s long-forgotten voices rise from the annals of history to remind us how important women’s voices are and how vital it is that we speak up against those trying to strip us of our rights. And then there’s that stirring and spectacular finale that I haven’t been able to stop thinking about. Sheer perfection! 

The story is filled with charismatic characters that you will both love and hate. Strong, determined and headstrong, Þuríður is an unforgettable heroine. I am a big believer in silence speaking louder than words when people are committed to misunderstanding you, and Þuríður takes that to another level. She hasn’t spoken a word since her mother’s death a decade earlier and her silence only adds to her allure. She exudes defiance and her silence only riles those trying to persecute her even more. On the opposite end of the spectrum we have Lutheran Pastor Jón Magnùsson. I despised this man. A vile, unscrupulous character who uses religion as an excuse to persecute and punish those he feels have wronged him, I felt the anger burn within me every time he was on the page. I needed this villain to get his comeuppance. 

Gripping, magical and utterly spellbinding, this is a must-read for anyone who enjoys historical fiction or witchy stories. 

Rating: ✮✮✮✮✮

Thank you Bantam for senidng me a copy of the book in exchange for my honest review.

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ABOUT THE AUTHOR:

Cathryn Kemp’s first novel, bestselling  A Poisoner’s Tale, won the HWA Debut Crown Award 2025 and has been published internationally in the U.S., Canada, Italy, France, Brazil and Portuguese speaking territories, Vietnam and globally.

Cathryn’s second novel, They Can’t Burn Us All, is published with Penguin Random House in August 2026.

Her personal memoir, Coming Clean (2012), won the Big Red Read Prize for Non-Fiction. Cathryn co-founded charity, The Painkiller Addiction Information Network (PAIN), which has successfully lobbied Government, including the House of Lords and the APPG for dependency on prescribed medicines. 

Cathryn is a Sunday Times and Amazon Number 1 (in four categories) bestselling ghostwriter, with a prolific career writing celebrity, inspirational, true crime, addiction and nostalgia titles.

She has written across the full spectrum of the British and international press, and has appeared on television and radio, including ITV’s This Morning, Lorraine and Panorama, BBC’s Women’s Hour and regional BBC radio stations across the UK.

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Thank you for reading, Bibliophiles xxxxx

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Audio Books Beat the Backlist book reviews

AUDIOBOOK REVIEW: Picnic at Hanging Rock by Joan Lindsay

Published 1967 by Vintage
Historical Fiction, Mystery, Thriller

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ABOUT THE BOOK:

The classic, atmospheric Australian thriller about the mysterious disappearance of a group of young girls.

A cloudless summer day in the year nineteen hundred…

Everyone at Appleyard College for Young Ladies agreed it was just right for a picnic at Hanging Rock. After lunch, a group of three girls climbed into the blaze of the afternoon sun, pressing on through the scrub into the shadows of Hanging Rock. Further, higher, till at last they disappeared.

They never returned.

Is Picnic at Hanging Rock fact or fiction? Only you can truly decide.

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MY REVIEW:

Australia, 14th February 1900. On a sweltering summer’s day an idyllic picnic for the students at an exclusive ladies boarding school turns into a nightmare when three girls and their governess go missing at Hanging Rock. Eight days later, one of the girls is found, but she has no memories of what happened. The other two girls and their governess are never seen again. 

Atmospheric, mysterious, hypnotic and ambiguous, Picnic at Hanging Rock is a mesmerising story. This 1967 classic has been on my TBR for many years. I became fascinated with the story after seeing the movie as a teenager and for many years I believed it was based on a true story. When I learned that it was actually a work of fiction, I knew I needed to read it. This month I finally decided to pick it up and listened to it on audiobook, which was a great choice as not only did the Australian accent of the narrator make it feel authentic, but the pipe music between each chapter adds to the haunting and unsettling vibe. 

A sunny but sinister story, the book transports us back to 1900. A gorgeously gothic and melancholy Edwardian tale, Joan Lindsey’s evocative storytelling vividly sets the scene from the start. There is a hazy, dreamlike quality. A fever-dream where you are never quite sure what is real and what is fiction. I was enthralled and completely lost in the world Lindsay had created. It’s a story that captures the imagination. A puzzle steeped in the supernatural and unexplained that is waiting to be solved. But it ultimately remains without resolution. And that unending mystery is part of what makes this story so haunting and eerie.

Hanging Rock itself is an important part of this story, almost feeling like a character in its own right. An ancient place infused with mystery that is an indigenous sacred site, the book capitalises on that atmosphere to create a modern myth. It leaves us wondering if the rock really can devour people and make them vanish into thin air. And how did three people manage to disappear without a single trace? 

Beautiful, languorous, obscure and unnerving, this is a perfect summer read that will linger long after reading.

Rating: ✮✮✮✮.5

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ABOUT THE AUTHOR:

Joan Lindsay was born Joan à Beckett Weigall in Melbourne, Australia, in 1896. She attended Clyde Girls Grammar School, the model for Appleyard College in Picnic at Hanging Rock, and the National Gallery of Victoria Art School, where she studied painting. On Valentine’s Day 1922 she married Daryl Lindsay in London. She chose Valentine’s Day 1900 as the setting for Picnic at Hanging Rock, her best-known work, which was first published in 1967 and is the basis for the 1975 film of the same name by Peter Weir. She died in Melbourne in 1984.

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Thanks for reading, Bibliophiles xxxx

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book reviews Emma's Anticipated Treasures Squadpod Squadpod Featured Books

SQUADPOD FEATURED BOOK: The Spy and the Snake by M. J. Robotham

Published July 9th, 2026 by Aria Books
Suspense, Mystery, Thriller, Historical Fiction, Spy Fiction, Adventure Fiction, Romance Novel

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ABOUT THE BOOK:

THE NEW TRAILBLAZING NOVEL FROM INTERNATIONAL BESTSELLING AUTHOR, MANDY ROBOTHAM

One mission. One fake husband. One very real problem.

Maggie Flynn has finally earned her place at of MI5-but with promotion comes paperwork. No more disguises, no more danger, just meetings, memos, and the quiet realisation that life feels a little too safe.

With her daughter away at university and her spirited mother pursuing her own adventures, Maggie’s days in London are starting to feel decidedly ordinary. So when the chance arises to return to the field, she doesn’t hesitate.

The assignment: fly to Budapest and pose as the wife of a notorious British defector in order to smuggle him back to the UK. It should be a straightforward operation. But Maggie Flynn has never done straightforward-and what’s waiting in Budapest is anything but routine.

As Cold War tensions simmer and shadows linger on every corner, Maggie finds herself navigating a city steeped in secrets-and drawn to a mysterious stranger who may endanger the mission. or steal her heart.

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MY REVIEW:

Maggie Flynn is back. The MI5 agent has spent the last three years playing housemaid and babysitter. But now her boss is offering her a chance to finally go into the field. They want her to go to Budapest to spring former-MI6 agent-turned-defector Fitzroy Carver out from behind the Iron Curtain and back to London. What’s more, this job is off the books. Meaning she would be totally alone with no-one to back her up if things go wrong. Maggie isn’t sure she’s ready. But with the encouragement of her friend, fellow spy Bea, she decides to do it. What follows is a tense, twisty and entertaining espionage caper that will keep you on your toes. 

M. J. Robotham’s books are always a real treat and I loved being back with Maggie. Intelligent, witty, intriguing and addictive, I was immediately transported back to the sixties and into Maggie’s world of spies and secrets. Skillfully written, cleverly plotted and well researched, Ms. Robotham knows how to keep her reader hooked and I was on the edge of my seat from start to finish. The story is rich in historic detail, nostalgia and counterintelligence that adds a layer of authenticity. Ms. Robotham manages to expertly make the story feel lighthearted whilst also making it nail-bitingly tense and addressing some darker themes such as war and grief. 

Maggie is a wonderful character. Fierce, smart, determined and upbeat, she is easy to like and root for at every turn. Isolated and unsure who to trust, Budapest is lonely for her, so I was extra thankful for my favourite Maggie character quirk: the cast of voices that talk to her in her head. Her banter with them is always fun to read and I love how they help her get out of scrapes, encourage her, or offer comfort when times are hard, which she certainly needed on this job. The other characters are just as richly drawn and compelling, and I had a real soft spot for cafe owner Zoltan, who was just a delight. However Fitzroy was a frustrating and difficult character, which I liked as it made things more interesting and added to the tension.

A delightful and intriguing mystery, I highly recommend this one. 

Rating: ✮✮✮✮✰

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

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ABOUT THE AUTHOR:

M J Robotham saw herself as an aspiring author from childhood, but was waylaid by journalism, birth, children and life. After twenty years as a midwife and a Creative Writing MA, she is a full-time author, writing historical fiction as Mandy Robotham. She lives in Gloucestershire with her partner.

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Thanks for reading, Bibliophiles xxx

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