Tag: January books

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Audio Books book reviews Emma's Anticipated Treasures

BOOK REVIEW: The Lamb by Lucy Rose

Published January 30th, 2025 by W&N
Gothic Fiction, Horror Fiction, Fairy Tale, Coming-of-Age Fiction, Gay Fiction

Welcome to my review of this deliciously dark gothic horror.

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ABOUT THE BOOK:

A FOLK TALE. A HORROR STORY. A LOVE STORY. AN ENCHANTMENT.

Margot and Mama have lived by the forest since Margot can remember. When Margot isn’t at school, they spend quiet days together in their cottage, waiting for strangers to knock on their door. Strays, Mama calls them. Mama loves the strays. She feeds them wine, keeps them warm. Then she satisfies her burning appetite by picking apart their bodies.

But Mama’s want is stronger than her hunger sometimes, and when a white-toothed stray named Eden turns up in the heart of a snowstorm, little Margot must confront the shifting dynamics of her family, untangle her own desires and make a bid for freedom.

With this tender coming-of-age tale, debut novelist Lucy Rose explores how women swallow their anger, desire and animal instincts – and wrings the relationship between mother and daughter until blood drips from it.

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MY REVIEW:

“On my fourth birthday, I plucked six severed fingers from the shower drain.”

And with that nightmarish opening, The Lamb sets the tone for what’s about to come. Deliciously dark, fearsome, murderous and unsettling, this hypnotic gothic horror is a debut you won’t forget. 


Margot lives with her Mama in a secluded cottage by the forest. They live off the land and take in strangers who knock at their door looking for help. Mama calls them ‘strays’ and offers them assistance, wine, food and warmth. After all, they need to be happy to taste good… 

It’s an isolated life full of rules set by her domineering mother. But things change when a stray named Eden knocks on the door. Unlike the others Eden is charismatic and enchanting and Mama’s desire proves stronger than her hunger. Eden is allowed to live and stay with them at the cottage. As Margot tries to adjust to the new dynamics at home, she is also grappling with changes within herself as she develops her first crush, begins to question the things that Mama has taught her, and struggles with the weight of their deadly secrets.

What a phenomenal debut! Atmospheric, sinister and savage but also tender and deeply felt, this unforgettable story gets under your skin. Lucy Rose showcases herself as a talent to be watched with this disturbing folkloric tale that feels like a modern Grimms’ fairytale. Blood drips from every word as with poetic, evocative and beguiling prose Rose pulls you deep inside Margot’s grim world. It is both deeply human and monstrously inhuman, exploring themes of motherhood, dysfunctional family dynamics, female rage, desire, control, trauma, morality and empowerment alongside grisly scenes of murder and cannibalism. 

The characters are richly drawn, relatable and real, and Margot is a powerful narrator. A young girl on the cusp of womanhood, she has known nothing but the bleak and horrifying existence her mother has forced her to live. A life full of loneliness, fear and secrets. My heart broke for her. I wanted to jump into the book and rescue her from that life and show her happiness and joy. Mama is a truly terrifying character. In some ways she feels pathetic, benign and unassuming. But we know she’s a cruel woman capable of brutal things who terrorises her daughter. And Eden is no better. When she arrived I initially had hope that she might rescue Margot, though I really should have known better than to expect a happy ending. After all, this fairytale is Grimm not Disney.

Menacing, depraved, unnerving and original, this is an absolute must read and one of my top books this year. 

Rating: ✮✮✮✮✮

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ABOUT THE AUTHOR:

Cumbrian dwelling in the North East. Writer of folktales and fables.

Lucy Rose’s fiction and non-fiction have been published by Dread Central, Mslexia, The Observer, The Nerd Daily and more, and her films have visited BAFTA- and Oscar-qualifying film festivals internationally. She is also a Forbes 30 Under 30 Europe class of 2025.

Lucy’s Sunday Times Bestselling debut novel, The Lamb, is published by Weidenfeld & Nicolson in the UK and HarperCollins in the US. Lucy lives on the north-east coast of England with her black cat, Figgy, and is currently working on her next story.

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BUY THE BOOK:

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Thanks for reading, Bibliophiles xxxx

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Blog Tours book reviews Emma's Anticipated Treasures Most Anticipated 2025

BLOG TOUR REVIEW: The Queen of Fives by Alex Hays

Published January 30th, 2025 by Headline
Historical Fiction, Mystery, Historical Mystery, Crime Fiction, Domestic Fiction

Happy publication day to this clever and cunning slice of Victoriana. Thank you to Headline for the invitation to take part in the blog tour and for sending me a proof copy in exchange for my honest review.

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ABOUT THE BOOK:

Nothing is quite as it seems in Victorian high society, in the twisty and original new novel from the author of THE HOUSEKEEPERS…

They whisper her name in every corner of town.
The lady with a hundred faces, a thousand lives.
Five moves, five days – for such are the rules of her game.

1898. Quinn Le Blanc, London’s most talented con woman, has five days to pull off the seemingly impossible: trick an eligible duke into marriage and lift a fortune from the richest family in England.

Masquerading as a wealthy debutante, Quinn is the jewel of the season. Her brilliant act opens doors to the grand drawing rooms and lavish balls of high society – and propels her into the inner circle of her target: the corrupt, charismatic Kendals.

But as she spins in and out of their world, Quinn becomes tangled in a dangerous web of love, lies and loyalty. The Kendal family all have secrets of their own, and she may not be the only one playing a game of high deception…

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MY REVIEW:

1898. Quinn Le Blanc, London’s most talented con woman, is the reigning Queen of Fives. For her latest con she has just five days to trick an eligible duke into marriage and take a fortune from him. But Quinn isn’t the only one with a trick up her sleeve; someone else is playing their own con. And their sights are firmly set on the Queen of Fives…

Alex Hay transports us back to Victorian high society for this clever, cunning, shrewd and daring story of subterfuge and fortune-hunting. Skillfully written and cleverly choreographed, Hay had me in his thrall from start to finish. I was on tenterhooks as I tried to predict who could trust who or what would happen next and totally invested in Quinn’s game. I loved that while Quinn is so focused on her game she’s also unwittingly embroiled in a play of someone else’s making, raising the stakes higher than ever before. With its many storylines it kept me on my toes as Hay expertly and intricately wove the many storylines together to create an explosive and jaw-dropping finale. 

Furnished with a cast of fascinating and richly drawn characters who were so much fun to read, no-one is what they seem in this complex tale. Feisty, spirited, crafty and undaunted, Quinn thrived on the high stakes games she plays, unlike her faithful assistant Mr. Silk, who is much more jaded. The pattern of opposites continued with the Kendal Family as we have the feisty, independent and determined Tor alongside the much quieter and weary Duke. The ‘boy in the blue waistcoat’ was a dastardly villain who added a tantalising air or mystery that kept me guessing right up until the big reveal. 

Audacious, immersive and fiendishly delightful, this story of Victorian high society, high jinx, deception and danger is one not to be missed. 

Rating: ✮✮✮✮

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ABOUT THE AUTHOR:

Alex is the bestselling author of The Housekeepers, which won the Caledonia Novel Award 2022. He grew up in Cambridge and Cardiff in the United Kingdom, studied History at the University of York, and wrote his dissertation on female power at royal courts, combing the archives for every scrap of drama and skulduggery he could find. He has worked in magazine publishing and the charity sector, and is a graduate of the Curtis Brown Write Your Novel course. His second novel, The Queen of Fives, publishes in January 2025. Alex lives with his husband in South East London.

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BUY THE BOOK:

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*these are affiliate links

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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

BOOK REVIEW: Five Little Pigs by Agatha Christie

Published May 1942
Mystery, Crime Fiction, Detective Fiction, Classic Fiction

Welcome to my review for the first book of Read Christie 2025.

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ABOUT THE BOOK:

Agatha Christie’s ingenious murder mystery, reissued with a striking new cover designed to appeal to the latest generation of Agatha Christie fans and book lovers.

Beautiful Caroline Crale was convicted of poisoning her husband, yet there were five other suspects: Philip Blake (the stockbroker) who went to market; Meredith Blake (the amateur herbalist) who stayed at home; Elsa Greer (the three-time divorcee) who had roast beef; Cecilia Williams (the devoted governess) who had none; and Angela Warren (the disfigured sister) who cried ‘wee wee wee’ all the way home.

It is sixteen years later, but Hercule Poirot just can’t get that nursery rhyme out of his mind…

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MY REVIEW:

One of my reading goals for this year is to actually finish the Read Christie 2025 Challenge. I started the 2024 challenge but only managed to take part for about half the year. I’m intrigued by this year’s theme of ‘Characters and Careers. January’s prompt was ‘Artists’ and I decided to read the official choice: Five Little Pigs. 

Sixteen years ago, Caroline Crale was convicted of poisoning her husband. Her daughter, Carla, is convinced her mother was innocent however and is asking Poirot to re-open the case. Intrigued, Poirot finds that there were five other suspects who could have killed Amyas Crale: Philip Blake (the stockbroker), Meredith Blake (the amateur herbalist), Elsa Greer (the three-times divorcee), Cecilia Williams (the devoted governess), and Angela Warren (the disfigured sister). Was Caroline guilty? Or did someone else kill Amyas?

Gripping, intriguing and suspenseful, I really enjoyed this story. I liked that it involved an older crime that involved multiple possible suspects and the chance to right a possible wrongful conviction. Like Poirot, I had my doubts that Caroline was as innocent as she claimed, but as he investigated it became clear that the other suspects also had possible motives for murder. I thought the way that Christie wove the old nursery rhyme of the same name as the title into the story was cleverly done, and I found myself repeating the rhyme at random times for a week or so after reading. 

A page-turning mystery that any classic crime lover will enjoy, I highly recommend this book. 

Rating: ✮✮✮✮✰

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ABOUT THE AUTHOR:

Born in Torquay in 1890, Agatha Christie began writing during the First World War and wrote over 100 novels, plays and short story collections. She was still writing to great acclaim until her death, and her books have now sold over a billion copies in English and another billion in over 100 foreign languages. Yet Agatha Christie was always a very private person, and though Hercule Poirot and Miss Marple became household names, the Queen of Crime was a complete enigma to all but her closest friends.

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BUY THE BOOK:

Bookshop.org* | Waterstones* | Amazon*
*These are affiliate links

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Thanks for reading, Bibliophiles xxxx

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book reviews Emma's Anticipated Treasures Most Anticipated 2025

BOOK REVIEW: The Psychopath Next Door by Mark Edwards

Published January 28th, 2025 by Thomas & Mercer
Suspense, Psychological Fiction, Crime Fiction, Thriller, Mystery

Happy Publication Day to this heart-pounding thriller. Thank you Mark Edwards for sending an eBook ARC in exchange for my honest review.

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ABOUT THE BOOK:

In this mesmerising thriller from the bestselling author of Keep Her Secret, a family’s fresh start is just the beginning of their nightmare…

Ethan Dove’s family has moved to a new home in a safe community, and it’s exactly the fresh start they need. Not only is his marriage to Emma hanging by a thread, but his son, Dylan, and twelve-year-old daughter, Rose, deserve to have a happy childhood.

After Rose is bullied by the boys across the road, Ethan is relieved when the woman who lives next door steps in. Fiona Smith has come into their lives at just the right moment, and when she offers to look after Rose during the school holidays, Ethan and Emma can’t believe their luck.

Which is exactly what Fiona wants. Because, far from being the perfect neighbour, Fiona is the last person you should trust with your child. With a vicious plot for revenge, Fiona is happy to train Rose to be her accomplice, especially when she begins to suspect that Rose might not be as innocent as she appears…

The Psychopath Next Door is a gripping and twisted psychological suspense thriller set in the terrifying world of Mark Edwards’s bestselling The Magpies universe.

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MY REVIEW:

He’s done it again. Mark Edwards never fails to deliver, and The Psychopath Next Door is another first-class thriller that sees Edwards turn the ordinary into our worst nightmare. 

Ethan Dove and his family have got the fresh start they were looking for after moving to a new home in a safe neighbourhood. And when Ethan’s daughter, Rose, is bullied by two local boys, he’s relieved that his new next-door neighbour, Fiona, steps in to help. This is exactly the kind of community he was looking for. And when Fiona offers to look after Rose during the school holidays, Ethan and his wife, Emma, are thankful for the help. But Fiona isn’t what she seems. Because lurking beneath the smiley, helpful exterior is a cold, calculating psychopath hell-bent on revenge. And she’s decided that Rose is the perfect trainee accomplice. 

As soon as I heard that his latest book was set in the same world as his unsettling Magpies series, I knew it would be a winner. Edwards has been an auto-buy author for me for a number of years and he gets better with every book. This nerve-shredding thriller had me hooked from start to finish but it was the finale where Edwards shined, delivering one of the best twists that I have ever read. And those final lines were truly terrifying.

Lucy Newton from the Magpies Trilogy makes a welcome appearance in this book. I always find her so much fun to read and loathe, but I found someone I might loathe even more: Fiona Smith. Fiona is a strange, unnerving and fascinating character who knows she’s a psychopath and embraces it. Fiona has just been released from prison and now she’s finally free to exact revenge on the people she blames for putting her behind bars. But the real star of the show in this book is Rose. That child made the hairs on the back of my neck stand on end and was truly terrifying.  As a parent all I could think was how her parents were going to feel and what they might do. But I never could have predicted what ANY of the characters would do in this book. 

A magnificent thriller that will have you hooked from start to finish, I highly recommend this book. 

Rating: ✮✮✮✮.5

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ABOUT THE AUTHOR:

Mark Edwards writes books in which scary things happen to ordinary people, the best known of which are Follow You Home, The Magpies, Here To Stay and The Retreat. His novels have sold over 4 million copies and topped the bestseller lists numerous times. Mark prides himself on writing fast-paced page-turners with lots of twists and turns, relatable characters and dark humour

Mark live in the West Midlands, England, with his wife, their three children, two cats and a golden retriever.

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BUY THE BOOK:

Bookshop.org* | Amazon*
*These are affiliate links

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Thanks for reading Bibliophiles xxxxx

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Blog Tours Book Features Emma's Anticipated Treasures Most Anticipated 2025

BLOG TOUR REVIEW: Into Thin Air by Ørjan Karlsson

Published January 16th, 2025 by Orenda
Nordic Noir, Crime Fiction, Thriller, Hard-boiled, Mystery, Police Procedural, Crime Series

Today is my stop on the blog tour for the first in what promises to be a brilliant new series. Thank you to Anne at Random Things Tours for the invitation to take part in this tour, and to Orenda for sending me a copy of the book in exchange for my honest review.

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ABOUT THE BOOK:

Chief Investigator of Nordland Police, Jakob Weber is drawn into a complex case when a teenaged girl goes missing in Northern Norway, and a second woman disappears from a remote island in similar circumstances … FIRST in a compelling, dark new Nordic Noir series.
 
‘This is first-class Nordic Noir from the real North, where danger lurks around every corner’ Gunnar Staalesen
 
‘Jakob Weber is a great protagonist, and the sense of place is phenomenal. The perfect start to a series destined for greatness’ Thomas Enger
 
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In Norway’s frozen north, it’s not just secrets that are buried…
 
When nineteen-year-old Iselin Hanssen disappears during a run in a popular hiking area in Bodø, Northern Norway, suspicion quickly falls on her boyfriend. For investigator Jakob Weber, the case seems clear-cut, almost unexceptional, even though there is some suggestion that Iselin lived parts of her life beneath the radar of both family and friends.
 
But events take a dramatic turn when another woman disappears in similar circumstances – this time on the island of Røst, miles off the Norwegian coast, in the wild ocean.
 
Rumours that a killer is on the loose begin to spread, terrifying the local population and leading to wild conspiracies. But then Jakob discovers that this isn’t the first time that young women have vanished without a trace in the region, and it becomes clear that someone is hiding something … and another murderous spree may have just begun…
 
For fans of Joe Pickett, Ragnar Jonasson and Jorn Lier Horst

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MY REVIEW:

There’s a new sinister storyteller on the block. Ørjan Karlsson is one to watch for anyone who enjoys their thrillers as dark as the starless sky. 

I always think there’s something so exciting about starting the first book in a new series as you aren’t only anticipating the book in your hands but all future books in this series, where the characters are like old friends you return to time and again. When the book is a Nordic Noir published by Orenda then your anticipation is even higher. But, as I expected, Into Thin Air did not disappoint. 

Chief Investigator of Norland Police, Jakob Weber, is drawn into what appears to be a clear-cut case when teenager Iselin Hanssen disappears during a run. Suspicion quickly falls on her boyfriend and it looks like this case will be tied up quickly. But things take a dramatic turn after another woman disappears in similar circumstances and rumours begin to spread about a serial killer being on the loose. Then, as Jakob investigates the increasingly complex case, he discovers that this isn’t the first time young women have vanished in the area. Could his cases be connected to these cold cases? And is he hunting for a serial killer who has been hiding in their midst for decades?

Chilling, addictive and suspenseful, this wild and crazy rollercoaster ride was a brilliant start to a new series. Exploring dark deeds, depravity and the murkiest depths of humanity, it had me hooked from its sinister prologue to its unforgettable finale. Skillfully written and cleverly choreographed, Karlsson kept me on my toes with an array of red herrings, twists and turns, and there are so many threads in this story that you could weave a jumper. A strong sense of place transported me to the icy and rugged Norwegian landscape, and provided a treacherous backdrop where danger lurks waiting to pounce. 

The story is told from multiple points of view as Karlsson introduces us to the varied cast of fascinating characters. While it never felt confusing, it did take me a while to get to grips with who each person was as Karlsson established the people we will meet time and again in this series. Our main protagonist, Jakob Weber, is a great central character, while his new partner, Noora Yun Sande, is a mysterious addition with a dark backstory that provides a lot of uncertainty and tension. Karlsson also includes the mysterious killer’s perspective; the odious, cruel and twisted character allowing the author to explore the depravity that can lurk inside humanity. 

A taut, tense and propulsive thriller, this was a fantastic start to a new series and I can’t wait for book two!

Rating: ✮✮✮✮✰

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ABOUT THE AUTHOR:

Ørjan N. Karlsson (b. 1970) grew up in Bodø. A sociologist by trade, he received officer training in the army and has taken part in overseas missions. He has worked in the Defence Ministry and is now a departmental manager in the Norwegian Directorate for Civil Protection. He has written a large number of thrillers, sci-fi novels and crime novels for adults. 

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BUY THE BOOK:

Orenda Books | Bookshop.org* | Waterstones* | Amazon*
*These links are affiliate links

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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: Death in the Arctic by Tom Hindle

Published January 16th, 2025 by Century
Mystery, Thriller, Suspense

Welcome to my review for this claustrophobic and nail-biting thriller. Thanks to Century for sending me a copy of the book in exchange for my honest review.

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ABOUT THE BOOK:

A frozen wilderness.


A killer in the skies.

When aspiring travel writer Chloé Campbell is invited aboard a luxury airship flying to the North Pole, she thinks she’s bagged the opportunity of a lifetime.

But she hasn’t had long to admire the dazzling icy views before a fellow passenger is found dead in their cabin.

Trapped at the top of the world, the group agrees a tragic accident has occurred. But as the hours tick by, fear turns to doubt.

It seems everyone’s a suspect.

And it isn’t long before the passengers begin to turn on each other . . .

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MY REVIEW:

The Osprey is a luxury airship on its maiden voyage over the arctic. On board are eight passengers all personally invited by one of its owners, and eight of crew. When one of the passengers is found dead in their room, faulty equipment is blamed. But soon some of those on board the craft begin to wonder if it really was an accident. Could they be trapped on the airship with a killer?

Chaotic, claustrophobic, nail-bitingly tense, devilishly clever, and filled with twists and turns, Death in the Arctic is a unique locked-room mystery that will keep you guessing. Tom Hindle is an author who has been on my TBR for years, and I have each of his books, but this was my first time reading one of them. And he is worth the hype. Expertly written, skillfully plotted, intricately woven and fast-paced, Hindle has managed to merge cosy crime with heart-pounding suspense. I will definitely be prioritising his backlist after reading this.

The book is filled with a cast of compelling characters, each with rich and sometimes intertwining backstories that add to the intrigue and tension. There are unreliable narrators, people we can’t trust, secrets, lies and desperation, all merged together on one aircraft. And as suspicion swirls following the death of a passenger, things begin to boil over and the finger is pointed in various directions. The story is told from multiple points of view, seamlessly moving between the narrators and offering a glimpse inside their psyche. The main narrator was Chloe, a travel blogger whose place on board the ship offers her the chance to finally write for a travel magazine. It’s her big break. But instead of writing her article, she finds herself investigating a possible murder and trying to stay one step ahead of the killer. 

An original and riveting thriller that kept me on my toes, this is one not to be missed. 

Rating: ✮✮✮✮✰

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ABOUT THE AUTHOR:

Tom Hindle hails from Leeds and lives in Oxfordshire with his wife, a cat and two surprisingly cunning tortoises. He is the author of A Fatal Crossing, The Murder Game and Murder on Lake Garda – which were inspired by masters of the crime genre such as Agatha Christie and Anthony Horowitz.

Tom is hard at work on his next murder mystery.

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BUY THE BOOK:

Bookshop.org* | Waterstones* | Amazon*
*These are affiliate links

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Thanks for reading, Bibliophiles xxxx

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Blog Tours book reviews Emma's Anticipated Treasures Most Anticipated 2025

BLOG TOUR: Your Child Next by M. J. Arlidge and Andy Maslen

Publisihed January 16th, 2025 by Orion
Thriller, Mystery, Suspense, Psychological Thriller, Crime Fiction, Adventure Fiction

Happy Publication Day to this book. Today is my stop on the blog tour for this heart-pounding and thought-provoking thriller. Thank you to Tracy at Compulsive Readers Tours for the invitation to take part and to Orion for sending me a copy of the book in exchange for my honest review.

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ABOUT THE BOOK:

THEY’VE FAKED YOUR CHILD’S DEATH. AND IF YOU DON’T GIVE THEM WHAT THEY WANT, THEY’LL MAKE IT A REALITY.

Things have been difficult for Annie since her husband left; her teenage daughter, Isla, has become a ghost of her former self. Annie’s terrified that Isla might do something desperate, and she’ll lose her, too. So when Annie receives a video of herself crying at Isla’s funeral, her blood runs cold.

Confused and horrified, Annie races upstairs to check on Isla, who is alive and well. The video has been faked. But who sent it and what do they want?

One dark truth soon becomes clear: Annie is the latest in a string of parents being blackmailed, and Isla will be killed if Annie goes to the police or if she fails to give the sender what they want. Annie has a deadly choice: comply with the demands, or try to unmask the dangerous criminal.

Your Child Next is a thrilling and unputdownable novel that asks you how far you’d go to protect the ones you love. Perfect for fans of Harlan Coben and Steve Cavanagh.

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MY REVIEW:

Fast-paced, intense, twisty and compelling, Your Child Next is a nerve-shredding thriller gleaming with malice that is guaranteed to have you on the edge of your seat.

When Annie receives a disturbing email that has deep-faked her daughter’s death, she thinks it’s some kind of sick joke. But who would do such a thing? The answer soon becomes clear when she receives a call from someone claiming they are behind the video. They demand she pays them £1000 every month and if she doesn’t, or if she contacts the police, they will make the video a reality. Terrified and with no idea how she will meet their demands, Annie realises she has two choices: find a way to comply or unmask them.

M. J. Arlidge has been an auto-buy author for me for many years. His Helen Grace series is one of my favourites and he’s a thriller author I’ll always recommend. But this was my first time reading one of his co-authored books and I will admit I wondered if it would affect how much I enjoyed reading it. Especially as I’d never read anything by his co-author, Andy Maslen. But I needn’t have worried; this book was every bit as intricately woven, cleverly choreographed and skillfully layered as I’ve come to expect from Alridge. Dripping with suspense, it kept me guessing and I was hooked from the first page to its heart-stopping finale and devoured it in just two sittings. 

Told from multiple points of view, the book is filled with characters who are richly drawn, fascinating and flawed. Themes of mental health problems, grief, trauma and fear are examined through the characters. It also explores the pitfalls of social media, the dark underbelly of technology, and poses moral dilemmas, asking just how far you’d go to protect the ones you love. 

Sinister, chilling and utterly addictive, Your Child Next is a first-class thriller not to be missed. 

Out today. 

Rating: ✮✮✮✮✰

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ABOUT THE AUTHORS:

M. J. Arlidge

Matthew J. Arlidge has worked in television for the last twenty years, specialising in high-end drama production, including prime-time crime serials Silent Witness, Torn, The Little House and, most recently, the hit ITV show Innocent. In 2015 his audiobook exclusive Six Degrees of Assassination was a number-one bestseller. His debut thriller, Eeny Meeny, was the UK’s bestselling crime debut of 2014 and has been followed by ten more DI Helen Grace thrillers – all Sunday Times bestsellers. is an English author of crime novels, including the Helen Grace Series.

Andy Maslen

Andy Maslen writes thrillers across a number of genres: police procedurals, vigilante, psychological, suspense and horror. He spent 30 years in business before turning to writing full time. He is the creator of best-selling series featuring Gabriel Wolfe, Stella Cole and Inspector Ford, plus standalone novels and short stories. He lives in Wiltshire.

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BUY THE BOOK:

Bookshop.org* | Waterstones* | Amazon*
*these are affiliate links

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

BOOK REVIEW: The Four Winds by Kristin Hannah

Published February 2nd, 2021 by Pan Macmillan
Historical Fiction, Romance Novel, Domestic Fiction

Welcome to my review for this phenomenal masterpiece. Thank you to Bookbreak and Pan Macmillan for sending me a copy of the book in exchange for my honest review.

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ABOUT THE BOOK:

‘A powerful, stirring, wind-swept tale set in Depression-era America that makes your heart break and soar in equal measure.’ – Matt Haig, author of The Midnight Library

The Four Winds, an instant New York Times number one bestseller and Richard and Judy Book Club Pick, is a deeply moving story about the strength and resilience of women and the bond between mother and daughter, by the multi-million-copy bestselling author of The Nightingale, Kristin Hannah.

‘Powerful and compelling’ – Delia Owens, author of Where the Crawdads Sing

She will discover the best of herself in the worst of times . . .

Texas, 1934. Elsa Martinelli had finally found the life she’d yearned for. A family, a home and a livelihood on a farm on the Great Plains. But when drought threatens all she and her community hold dear, Elsa’s world is shattered to the winds.

Fearful of the future, when Elsa wakes to find her husband has fled, she is forced to make the most agonizing decision of her life. Fight for the land she loves or take her beloved children, Loreda and Ant, west to California in search of a better life. Will it be the land of milk and honey? Or will their experience challenge every ounce of strength they possess?

From the overriding love of a mother for her child, the value of female friendship and the ability to love again – against all odds – Elsa’s incredible journey is a story of survival, hope and what we do for the ones we love.

‘A story of love, family, unbreakable bonds, bravery and hope. I loved this book so much!’ – Christy Lefteri, author of The Beekeeper of Aleppo

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MY REVIEW:

Kristin Hannah has done it again. Powerful, moving, mesmerising and timeless, The Four Winds is another unforgettable masterpiece. A story of love, loss, survival, courage, heroism and hope set during the Great Depression, it follows Elsa Martinelli as she fights to survive on the Great Plains during the Dust Bowl era and then as she travels to California with her children in search of a fresh start. Will it be the land of milk and honey as she’s been promised?

This atmospheric and all-consuming tour-de-force packed a strong emotional punch and has left me with a huge book hangover. I could have lived inside this story forever and was bereft at finishing it. I’ve now read three books by Ms. Hannah and each one has been magnificent, so it seems I’m guaranteed something spectacular with every book and I’m excited for what her backlist has in store for me. 

Masterfully written, I was totally immersed in this epic saga which transported me back to the Great Depression. Hannah’s meticulous research is evident on every page, and with evocative imagery she paints vivid scenes that bring to life the dust-swept plains of Texas and the bleak reality of these people’s lives – dust storms that last weeks, the dust choking you and coating every surface, the muddy milk of cows forced to eat dust-covered grass, the gnawing hunger they felt as their crops failed, and the heartache of watching your loved ones slowly waste away. Desperation, drudgery and fear permeates every page, but there is also resilience, determination, bravery, and a fierce strength that left me in awe. Hannah explores a multitude of themes on these pages including the complexities of motherhoods, the power of community, social injustice, and the American Dream, creating a relatable, stirring and timely story that I got lost in.

Hannah has filled the pages with richly drawn, flawed and compelling characters, creating a strong connection between her characters and the reader and making us feel invested in their stories. The book’s protagonist, Elsa, is a formidable woman who battles against seemingly insurmountable odds, facing one hardship after another. We meet her as a spinster from a well-off family but when she becomes pregnant Elsa swaps her life of comfort and finery for one of toil and hardship when she’s forced to marry Italian farmer, Rafe. It’s a huge change, but she learns to love her new life. But after Rafe leaves, the Great Depression hits, and drought and winds turn the land into the Dust Bowl, things get even harder for Elsa and we see just how much strength she has, but we also see her vulnerability and fear. The other narrator, Elsa’s daughter Loreda, was my favourite character. She is a firecracker and I loved her spark, spirit and ferocity. You could tell this girl would go far and I loved watching the lessons that she and Elsa taught each other. 

Phenomenal, breathtaking and extraordinary, I can’t recommend this book highly enough and if I could give it more than five stars I would. Read it now! 

Rating: ✮✮✮✮✮

*I listened to this on Bookbeat. You can listen for 60 days free by clicking my affiliate link here*

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ABOUT THE AUTHOR:

From Kristin’s Website: Kristin Hannah is the award-winning and bestselling author of more than 20 novels including the international blockbuster, The Nightingale, which was named Goodreads Best Historical fiction novel for 2015 and won the coveted People’s Choice award for best fiction in the same year.  Additionally, it was a selection of the Reese Witherspoon Book Club in 2023. It was named a Best Book of the Year by Amazon, iTunes, Buzzfeed, the Wall Street Journal, Paste, and The Week.  In 2018, The Great Alone became an instant New York Times #1 bestseller and was named the Best Historical Novel of the Year by Goodreads.

The Four Winds was published in February of 2021 and immediately hit #1 on the New York Times, Wall Street Journal, USA Today, and Indie bookstores’ bestseller lists.  Additionally, it was selected as a book club pick by the both Today Show and the Book Of the Month club, which named it the best book of 2021.  

The Nightingale is currently in production at Tri Star, with Dakota and Elle Fanning set to star.  Tri Star has also optioned The Great Alone and it is in development.  Firefly Lane, her beloved novel about two best friends, was the #1 Netflix series around the world, in the week it came out.  The popular tv show stars Katherine Heigl and Sarah Chalke and Season Two is currently set to conclude the series on April 27, 2023.  

A former attorney, Kristin lives in the Pacific Northwest.

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BUY THE BOOK:

Bookshop.org* | Waterstones* | Amazon*
*These are affiliate links

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Thanks for reading Bibliophiles xxxx

Categories
Blog Tours book reviews

BLOG TOUR: Wife, Mother, Liar by Sue Watson

Published January 10th, 2025 by Bookouture
Psychological Fiction, Crime Thriller, Mystery, Thriller

Happy Publication Day to this dark, tense and unpredictable thriller. Thank you to Bookouture for the invitation to take part in the blog tour and for sending me a copy of the book.

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ABOUT THE BOOK:

She’s perfect. Too perfect…

Wife: For twenty-five years, my husband and I have been the ideal couple. I’m shy, but he’s always been the life and soul of the party, a charmer, so I didn’t worry the first time I caught him a little too close to my best friend, Wendy.

Mother: Then our darling son says he’s taking Wendy’s daughter to prom, the girl I never trusted because she’s too much like her mother. As I snap photos of them, I have a smile plastered on my face, but inside my head I’m screaming at him to stay away from her.

Liar: As flashing lights slice the darkness around our home, my worst nightmare comes true with the shocking news that one of our children is dead. And I can tell my husband, my best friend are both lying about where they were. But none of their secrets compares to mine.

And nobody knows just how far I’d go to protect my family…

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MY REVIEW:

Happy Publication Day to what I think is Sue Watson’s best book yet. 

Jill and Wendy have been best friends for 25 years. Ever since the day Jill and her husband, Tim, moved in next door to Wendy and her husband, Robert. They did everything together from being newlyweds to having babies and raising their children. Right up until the day their children went to prom together and one of them didn’t come home. Eighteen months later and the grieving mother is still searching for answers, unable to accept the official ruling of accidental death. She’s sure her best friend is lying to her about what happened that night, and this weekend she intends to get to the truth…

OMG. What a ride this was! Tense, twisty, surprising, and totally addictive, this is a thriller that will get your heart racing and make your jaw drop. It had me on the edge of my seat from start to finish as I tried to predict what would happen next. But Watson kept me on my toes with her expert writing that was filled with chilling tension, dark secrets and some really moving moments. There was no time to recover as she moved from one twist to another at breakneck speed and all I could do was enjoy the ride. It was impossible to put down, and I actually fell asleep reading it in the early hours and then picked it up as soon as I’d had my coffee the next morning. And that ending! I’m still reeling. 

Nothing and no-one is what they seem in this story. Especially not Jill and Wendy. From the start we know that both women are keeping secrets about the night Leo died, but we don’t know how much they know or if either of them was involved. We also don’t know if Leo’s death was murder like Jill believes or a tragic accident like the police ruled. Moving seamlessly between timelines, we see glimpses of their friendship and their lives in flashbacks, while in the present they reminisce about old times and try to avoid the elephant in the room. It soon becomes clear that this friendship has never been what it seemed and both women have ulterior motives for getting together this weekend. The tension was sky-high and it felt like no-one was going to get out of this unscathed. 

Dark, sinister and totally riveting, this is a must-read for any thriller lover.

Rating: ✮✮✮✮✰

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ABOUT THE AUTHOR:

Sue Watson was a journalist on national magazines and newspapers before becoming a TV producer with the BBC.

Now a USA Today bestselling author, Sue explores the darker side of life, writing psychological thrillers with big twists.

Originally from Manchester, she now lives with her family in leafy Worcestershire where much of her day is spent writing and procrastinating. Her hobby is eating cake while watching diet and exercise programmes from the sofa, a skill she’s perfected after many years of practice.

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BUY THE BOOK:

Waterstones* | Amazon*
*These are affiliate links

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Thanks for reading Bibliophiles xxxx

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

Categories
book reviews Emma's Anticipated Treasures Most Anticipated 2023 Squadpod Squadpod Reviews

SQUADPOD REVIEWS: Preloved by Lauren Bravo

Published January 18th, 2024 by Simon & Schuster UK
Humorous Fiction, Parody, Literary Fiction

Today I’m sharing my review for the delightful and uplifting Preloved which was one of January’s Squadpod Reviews books. Thank you to Sara at Simon and Schuster UK for the copy of the book.

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SYNOPSIS:

‘Lauren Bravo is one of my very favourite writers.’ Dolly Alderton

Gwen is coasting through life. She’s in her mid-thirties, perpetually single, her friends are busy procreating in the countryside and conversations with her parents seem to revolve entirely around the council’s wheelie-bin timetable.
 
And she’s lonely. But then, isn’t everyone?
 
When she’s made redundant from a job she hardly cares about, she takes herself out for a fancy dinner. There she has the best sticky toffee pudding of her life and realises she has no one to tell. She vows to begin living her life fully, reconnect with her friends and family, and finally book that dentist’s appointment. 
 
Gwen decides to start where all things get a second chance: her local charity shop. There, with the help of the weird and wonderful people and donated items bursting with untold stories, Gwen will find a way to move forward with bravery, tenacity, and more regular dental care.
 
Dazzlingly witty, Preloved is a tale about friendship, loss and being true to yourself no matter the expectations. Lovingly celebrating the enduring power and joy of charity shops.

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MY REVIEW:

I’ve always loved charity shops and so I was sold on this book the moment I read the premise. It opens with a short chapter entitled ‘Gift’ about an item that stands out among other charity shop donations, and my interest was piqued. We are then introduced to our main character, Gwen, who isn’t having a good day. She’s just been made redundant and during a fancy dinner to try and cheer herself up she comes to the realisation that she has isolated herself and has no one to tell about her redundancy or the amazing meal. But instead of wallowing in self pity, Gwen decides to do something about it and makes a list before setting out to make conscious changes to her life.

Lauren Bravo’s fiction debut is a delightful story about loneliness, loss, anxiety, self-discovery and second chances. A story for anyone who has been clueless about where their life is going or what they are doing, it reminds us of the importance of friendship and community. Witty, heartwarming, and moving, this is a ‘slice of life’ story filled with relatable characters and observations that drew me in. Gwen comes across as a little miserable at first but I soon warmed to her. She’s isolated, lonely, struggling with severe anxiety and panic attacks and dealing with trauma, but she’s also funny, candid, trying to figure life out, and feels like someone I could be friends with. I liked that when redundancy provided her with an unwritten future she chose to write a better story for herself by making practical changes in her life, something I think we all could learn a lesson from. 

One of the things I enjoyed most about this book was how the charity shop was so deeply woven into the story. It is staffed by an eclectic group who were so much fun to read and I was taken back to my days in retail during many of the scenes, laughing or shaking my head at my memories. But what was most memorable for me was the sections between each chapter that tell the story of some of the items that find their way to the charity shop. These were fascinating and unique, capturing my heart and sparking my imagination.

Entertaining and uplifting, I highly recommend this wonderful debut. 

Rating: ✮✮✮✮✰

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MEET THE AUTHOR:

Lauren Bravo is a freelance journalist who writes about fashion, popular culture, food, travel and feminism, for titles including Grazia, Stylist, Cosmopolitan and Sunday Times Style. She volunteers in a charity shop once a week (partly to get dibs on all the best clothes).

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BUY THE BOOK:

Waterstones* | Bookshop.org* | Amazon*

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Thanks for reading Bibliophiles xxxx

*These links are affiliate links