Tag: June 2024

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book reviews Emma's Anticipated Treasures Most Anticipated 2024 Squadpod Squadpod Book Club

SQUADPOD BOOK CLUB: The King’s Witches by Kate Foster

Published June 6th, 2024 by Mantle
Historical Fiction, Religious Fiction

Welcome to my review for the SquadPod Book Club pick for June. Thank you Chloe and Mantle for the copy of the book in exchange for an honest review.

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ABOUT THE BOOK:

‘A masterpiece . . . I literally didn’t look up from the first page to the last’ — Janice Hallett, bestselling author of The Appeal

‘Enthralling, compelling and at times chilling . . . An utterly timely tale’ — D. V. Bishop, award-winning author of Ritual of Fire

The King’s Witches by Kate Foster is a gripping and beautiful historical novel that gives an unforgettable voice to the women at the heart of the real-life witch trials in sixteenth-century Scotland.

Women whisper secrets to each other; it is how we survive.

1589. Princess Anna of Denmark is betrothed to King James VI of Scotland. Before they can wed, Anna must pass the trial period: one year of marriage to prove herself worthy of being Scotland’s new Queen. Determined to fulfil her duties to King and country, Anna resolves to be the perfect royal bride. Until she meets Lord Henry . . .

By her side is Kirsten Sorenson, her loyal and pious lady-in-waiting. But, whilst tending to Anna’s every need, Kirsten has her own secret motives for the royal marriage to succeed . . .

Meanwhile, in North Berwick, young housemaid Jura practises the healing charms taught to her by her mother. When she realises she is no longer safe, she escapes to Edinburgh, only to find herself caught up in the witchcraft mania that has gripped not just the capital, but the new queen . . .

Will Anna, Kirsten and Jura be able to save each other and, in doing so, save themselves?

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MY REVIEW:

“Women whisper secrets to each other; it’s how we survive.”

The King’s Witches is a bewitching story of duty, love, secrets, suspicion, fear and courage. A story of women – both cunning and ordinary – set against a backdrop of the real-life witch trials in Scotland during the sixteenth century, this was the SquadPod Book Club pick this month. It is told by three women: Princess Anna of Denmark, Kirsten Sorenson, Anna’s lady-in-waiting, and Jura Craig, a Scottish housemaid and healer. Princess Anna is betrothed to King James VI of Scotland but must pass a year-long trial period before they can marry. She is determined to be the perfect royal bride and prove herself worthy of being Queen of Scotland. So, along with Kirsten she sets sail for Scotland and her new life, unaware that Kirsten harbours her own secret reasons for wanting to join her and for the royal marriage to succeed. Meanwhile, Jura is using the healing charms she was taught by her mother to help others. But as King James’ obsession with witchcraft grows, she finds herself caught up in the hysteria that is gripping all of Scotland.

“But a new plague is upon us. A plague of fear; a disease of ideologies.”

Kate Foster has once again crafted a compelling and evocative historical novel that is rich in time and place. Her meticulous research is evident in the historic details on every page while vivid imagery brings the sixteenth century to life in glorious technicolour. She immerses us amidst the witch hunts and trials, showing how the accusations were used as a way to eliminate troublesome women. She expertly uses the trials as a backdrop to amplify the female voices that were being silenced. The themes explored feel as relevant today as they did then and I was enrapt.

“And that is the trouble with accusations, is it not? That if one person says something against another, and the accuser is more powerful than the accused, what hope is there?” 

The narrators are three fascinating, strong and bold women whose lives interlace in unexpected ways. They come from different walks of life yet so much of who they were and what they faced felt similar to each other. I enjoyed watching as they fought against societal conventions to gain some sense of power for themselves. I quickly felt a connection with Princess Anna and Jura, but it took me a bit longer to warm up to Kirsten, something I think was because she felt more mysterious and secretive than Anna or Jura. And though they are women very much of their time, they felt as relatable today.

“I think that when women are accused of wickedness, someone usually means them harm.”

Spellbinding, poignant and surprising, The King’s Witches is a must for all those who love historical fiction. And don’t miss the fascinating author’s note at the end where Ms. Foster discusses the characters and how she crafted the book’s in detail.

Rating: ✮✮✮✮✰

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MEET THE AUTHOR:

Kate Foster has been a national newspaper journalist for over twenty years. Growing up in Edinburgh, she became fascinated by its history and often uses it as inspiration for her stories. The Maiden won the Bloody Scotland Pitch Perfect 2020 prize for new writers. She lives in Edinburgh with her two children.

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BUY THE BOOK:

Waterstones* | Bookshop.org* | Amazon*
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Thanks for reading, Bibliophiles xxxx

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Blog Tours book reviews Emma's Anticipated Treasures Most Anticipated 2024

BLOG TOUR: Murder Ballad by Lucy Ribchester

Published June 20th, 2024 by Black & White Publishing
Historical Fiction, Mystery, Thriller, Historical Mystery, Historical Romance, Alternative History

Today is my stop on the blog tour for this hauting and alluring lullaby of historical fiction. Thank you to Black & White Publishing for the invitation to take part and for sending me a copy of the book in exchange for my honest review.

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ABOUT THE BOOK:

‘A beautiful sensory overload . . . I didn’t want it to end.’ – Kirstin Innes, bestselling author of Scabby Queen

Three women. A deadly score to settle.

EDINBURGH, 1791. Isobel Duguid and her friend, the famous castrato Clessidro, are stars of the Edinburgh Musical Society. Despite her cavalier attitude towards holding a tune, Clessidro’s friendship and her own shocking murder ballads keep Isobel on stage and enjoying an opulent lifestyle in Auld Reekie.

Yet one night a note arrives from the mysterious Mrs Abercorn, regarding Isobel’s most notorious song, The Fiddler’s Wrath. It’s the tale of a prima donna who died of heartbreak after her husband committed murder and
was sent to the gallows. Isobel is intrigued.

But Mrs Abercorn’s curiosity is far more than a fickle interest and the truth is more complicated than anyone could have imagined. As Isobel recounts rising through the social classes, her role in this ill-fated tune is brought to light, awakening the chilling retribution of a once buried secret.

A story of betrayal, mystery, and the secrets some would die to protect. Perfect for fans of Patrick Süskind Perfume and Kate Foster’s The Maiden.

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MY REVIEW:

“Come all false-hearted women and your jealous husbands near, 
For in my song about a foul murder you shall hear.”

Edinburgh, 1791. Isobel Duguid, is famous for singing macabre murder ballads. She and her friend, Clessidro, are stars of the Edinburgh Musical Society and in high demand. One evening, Isobel receives a note from the mysterious Mrs. Abercorn, saying that her husband, Percy, is  creating a collection of Scotland’s finest ballads and would like to include Isobels’s most notorious ballad, The Fiddler’s Wrath. Isobel is intrigued by their interest in the tale of a prima donna who died of heartbreak following her husband committing murder and being sent to the gallows. But when the full story of Mrs. Abercorn’s curiosity is revealed, it brings long-buried secrets to light. 

Murder Ballad is a gloriously gothic, bloody and alluring serenade. A tale of friendship, love, secrets, betrayal and murder that I got lost in. With dark, atmospheric prose Lucy Ribchester crafted a gorgeous lullaby that transported me to the cobbled streets of 18th-Century Auld Reekie as she tells a tale rich with the fascinating history of Edinburgh, its theatres and the ballads themselves. She makes the music of its time leap from the pages and the audiobook was a treat for the ears as the narrator sang the ballads, immersing me completely in this melodic world. But there is a danger here, too, as peril lurks in the shadows and murder is scattered throughout the story. 

“We are the hidden architects, the secret sulphurous sounds that weave their way into your thoughts. We build morals, climb into your bones through your ears and hand you your history and yet you will never know our names.”

The plot is convoluted and labyrinthine, a cleverly choreographed trail of music, secrets and death strewn through the streets of Edinburgh that is filled with fascinating and vivid characters. It is a journey that spans the  entirety of Isobel’s career, starting with her humble  beginnings as an orange seller and following as she recounts her rise to fame and the origin of the famous ballad that is woven intricately into every facet of this tale. It kept me guessing and I was on tenterhooks as I searched the story for clues and tried to predict where this curious tale would lead. But I was unprepared for the shocking truths that were finally revealed as the full picture emerged.

Evocative, original and surprising, Murder Ballad is a haunting piece of historical fiction that is not to be missed. 

Rating: 🎭🎭🎭🎭

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MEET THE AUTHOR:

I was born in Edinburgh and have a first-class degree in English from the University of St Andrews. After gaining a Masters in Shakespeare Studies from Kings College London, I worked in various jobs, and lived in Spain for a short while, before settling in Edinburgh and beginning to write full time.

I’ve been awarded a Scottish Book Trust New Writers’ Award (2013), a Robert Louis Stevenson Fellowship (2016) and a Creative Scotland Open Project Award (2017). My short stories have been shortlisted for the Costa Short Story Award (2014) and Manchester Fiction Prize (2016) and broadcast on BBC Radio 4 (2018). The Hourglass Factory was also longlisted for the Historical Writers Association Debut Crown (2015).

As a tutor and workshop leader, I’ve worked in schools, prisons and community groups. My particular area of interest is developing the confidence and skills of emerging readers and writers.

I also write contemporary thrillers under the name Elle Connel. Down by the Water, and You Can Stay are both published by Wildfire.

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BUY THE BOOK:

Waterstones* | Bookshop.org* | 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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Blog Tours book reviews

BLOG TOUR: The Taken Child by Maria Frankland

Published June 25th, 2024 by Bookouture
Thriller, Psychological Thriller

Today is my stop on the blog tour for this dark, twisty and unpredictable thriller. Thank you to Bookouture for the copy of the book in exchange for an honest review.

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ABOUT THE BOOK:

As I race towards the lake, Toby’s life unfolds before me, from the day he entered this world to his first day at school. Please let me find him. I’ll do anything. But my sweet little boy is nowhere to be seen.

It kills me that the only way I can spend proper time with my son Toby is by helping out at his school camp. I sit under the emerald green pine trees and Toby’s little face lights up as he runs past me, joining the other chattering, happy children around us. Then I see my ex, David, glaring at me and my heart sinks. He may have full custody, but he’d love nothing more than for me to disappear. Forever.

As the excitement of the first day at this isolated camp dies down, I cherish the long goodnight hug I get to give to my beautiful little boy. I’d do anything to get Toby back.

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MY REVIEW:

A school residential turns into a nightmare in this suspenseful, gripping and forbidding thriller. It jumps straight into the action with a chilling prologue that hints at what’s to come: someone is dead and one of the children, Toby, is missing. But how did a school trip go so wrong? Moving between narrators and timelines, Maria Frankland skillfully tells the story. And it’s one hell of a bumpy ride filled with secrets, lies, jealousy, animosity and suspicion. She also knows how to keep her readers guessing, giving little away and keeping her cards close to the vest as we try to guess who is the murderer in their midst and who is their victim? And what about Toby? Will he be found safe? Pacy, unpredictable and filled with red herrings, she keeps us guessing; pulling the rug from under me with another twist every time I thought I had things figured out. It was addictive and I was so desperate for answers that I devoured the book in two sittings. But one of the most intriguing aspects of the book were the sentences in bold italics at the end of every chapter. The author of these dark, menacing, and moving sentences is a mystery, adding to the tension as I tried to guess not only who wrote them, but also who they were written to. 

Frankland has filled the pages with a varied and compelling cast of characters. Their histories are complicated, intricate and hostile, leading to an atmosphere ripe with bitterness and tension. Each of the women who narrate the story were flawed and complex characters that might not always be likeable, but nevertheless had some quality that made me root for them at times. David was another story. He gave me the ick from the start and seemed to always be at the centre of conflicts. They were all potential suspects and victims and I could imagine any one of them killing for one reason or another. I loved this uncertainty as it added to the tension and kept me on the edge of my seat until the last pages. 

Riveting, twisty and unpredictable, this is a must-read for any thriller lover.

Rating: ✮✮✮✮✰

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MEET THE AUTHOR:

Maria Frankland has a dubious internet search history and a very worried mother-in-law. However, neither of these things can stop her writing gripping psychological thrillers in which you’ll never find a happy-ever-after.

Her novels are mostly set in Yorkshire where you’ll hear the accent through all her characters. These are people you could live next door to, or closer still… don’t say you haven’t been warned.

Maria’s novels are fast-paced, down to earth and realistic. You never know what’s around the corner…

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BUY THE BOOK:

Amazon*
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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 2024

BOOK REVIEW: Spoilt Creatures by Amy Twigg

Published June 6th, 2024 by Tinder Press
Literary Fiction, Humorous Fiction

Welcome to my review for this fierce, unflinching and mesmerising debut. Thank you to Tinder Press for the sending me a proof copy of the book in exchange for my honest review.

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ABOUT THE BOOK:

An Observer top ten best new novelist for 2024


‘A simmering debut, heady with the possibilities of language and the righteousness of female rage’
Kiran Millwood Hargrave, author of The Mercies

‘Lush and dreamlike – a sweltering novel, where the sunlight pulses with nightmarish dread’
Colin Walsh, author of Kala

‘A modern-day Dionysian cult of women in the woods – haunting and exhilarating’
Jennifer Saint, author of Ariadne

‘Emma Cline’s The Girls meets Lord of the Flies . . . compelling, cultish and utterly feral’
Alice Slater, author of Death of a Bookseller
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They thought they knew everything about us. The kind of women we were.

It was a place for women. A remote farm tucked away in the Kent Downs. A safe space.

When Iris – newly single and living at home with her mother – meets the mysterious and beguiling Hazel, who lives in a women’s commune, she finds herself drawn into the possibility of a new start away from the world of men who have only let her down. Here, at Breach House, the women can be loud and dirty, live and eat abundantly, all while under the leadership of their gargantuan matriarch, Blythe.

But even among the women, there are power struggles, cruelty and transgressions that threaten their precarious way of life. When a group of men arrives on the farm, the commune’s existence is thrown into question, hurtling Iris and the other women towards an act of devastating violence.

Fierce and unapologetic, Spoilt Creatures is an intoxicating debut about transgression, sisterhood and the seductive nature of obsession. It pulls back the skin of patriarchal violence and examines the female rage that lurks beneath.

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MY REVIEW:

“We cannot get the outside world in. Women are treated like dogs in the outside world. Like we’re a different species altogether, something dangerous…But here, here we can control our circumstances, live without that kind of judgement. I know it’s not perfect… But it’s ours. It’s worth preserving.”

Dreamlike, mesmerising, sultry, ferocious and unsettling, Spoilt Creatures is a breathtaking debut. Amy Twigg was named an Observer top ten new novelist for 2024, and from the opening lines of this beautifully written, evocative and bold story, it is easy to see why. This is a story of patriarchal violence, female rage, self-discovery, and the desire to fit in. Where the brutal, fierce and untamed violence lived alongside an idyllic peacefulness and calm. It is a heady and intoxicating mix, and I was enrapt,  trying to savour every word as it soaked into my soul.

“And now I began to realise. That I had stumbled into something I didn’t quite know the shape of, had misjudged my circumstances. That I was part of something that would mark me for the rest of my life, even if no one knew who I was. That I was in trouble.”

The story is told by Iris, a thirty-something woman living back at home with her mother after her relationship ended. She’s looking for a new start when she meets Hazel, a mysterious woman who lives in an equally mysterious place called Breach House, a remote farm that is a sanctuary for women; a safe space where men are not allowed that is away from the judgement and violence of the rest of the world. Led by their matriarch, Blythe, the women all pitch in to live independently, feeling wild and untamed as they dig their bare hands in dirt to pull up roots wearing only underwear in the baking sun, dance around fires in the moonlight and swim almost naked in the river. It is a place of contrasts, feeling picturesque and idyllic but also giving eerie, cult-like vibes. There’s also a darkly voyeuristic feel, as if we’re spying on these women and seeing things that should be private and almost sacred. 

“I could see now it took a certain type of woman to live at Breach House, and I wanted to believe I could be one of them, loud and strong and capable.”

The characters feel like women we might know, making it easy to relate to them and feel a part of their world. I felt a kinship with Iris that helped me to feel invested in her story. Like her my life fell apart in 2008 and I had to start again, so I could relate to how she was feeling. When you’re lost like that you’re desperate to be rescued and to find a sanctuary. While we slowly get to know Iris, Hazel remains a mystery, giving up very little information about herself while being hungry to know everything about Iris. Her personality feels like a representation of Breach House itself with all of its cryptic intrigue. But one thing we know for sure about Hazel is that she offers Iris everything she’s been searching for and there is a strong bond between them that fizzes with electricity. It felt reminiscent of the days of intense teenage friendships and crushes where people were your whole world and it would feel like the world had ended if you lost them. We know very little about the other women at Breech House, meeting them at  face value like Iris does. But one things we do learn about them is that even at Breach House there are those who can be cruel and vindictive, especially when their way of life is threatened. 

“People looked at the photographs and decided they knew everything about us. Believing in the oil spill of newspaper ink, how it clung to every shadow, conspiring grit and gloom.”

From the start of the book we know something violent happened at Breach House. Something that the place is now infamous for. But the mystery of what happened is revealed slowly, moving between timelines as Iris narrates events that lead up to that terrible event and the aftermath of it all as she tries to come to terms with the trauma she’s experienced. There is a dark undercurrent of dread that runs through the story and I spent the whole book trying to predict what could have happened. But when the truth was revealed I was unprepared as the rage these women had buried inside them  rose to the surface, culminating in a shocking act of brutality and blood. 

“But they continued to talk about us, our story passing from one mouth into another until it changed shape, was chewed into legend.“

Fierce, menacing, atmospheric and beguiling, this mesmerising debut is one of my top reads of the year. Ms. Twigg is a talent to watch and I can’t wait to see what she writes next.

Rating: ✮✮✮✮✮

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ABOUT THE AUTHOR:

Amy Twigg was born and raised in Kent, where her obsession with remote landscapes and gypsy tarts began. After studying Creative Writing at university, she moved to Surrey where she works as a freelance copywriter. Her debut novel Spoilt Creatures won the BPA Pitch Prize and was longlisted for the Mslexia Novel Competition and Blue Pencil Agency First Novel Award. She is also an alumnus of the Curtis Brown Creative novel writing course. Spoilt Creatures is a lead title for Tinder Press (June 2024), and Amy was selected as an Observer Best New Novelist of the year.

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BUY THE BOOK:

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

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Thanks for reading, Bibliophiles xxxx

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book reviews Emma's Anticipated Treasures

READALONG REVIEW: Redemption by Jack Jordan

Published June 20th, 2024 by Simon & Schuster UK
Thriller, Mystery, Suspense, Psychological Thriller, Crime Fiction, Domestic Fiction, Gay Fiction, Adventure Fiction

Happy Publication Day to Redemption, the new bingeable, five-star thriller from the King of the moral dilemma. Thank you to The Likely Suspects for the invitation to take part in the readalong and the gifted copy of the book in exchange for an honest review.

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ABOUT THE BOOK:

‘Thrilling, heartfelt, and hugely evocative, Redemption manages to be both intensely exciting and deeply moving. A brilliant achievement’ Alex Michaelides

‘Tense, dark, emotional, and beautifully written, this action-packed gut-punch of a novel is flawless, and one of the best books I’ve read this year’ Andrea Mara 

THE LATEST PULSE-POUNDING THRILLER FROM THE MASTER OF THE MORAL DILEMMA AND SUNDAY TIMES BESTSELLER, JACK JORDAN.

Aaron Alexander has just been released from jail after serving eleven years for causing the death of Joshua Moore in a hit-and-run. Now a free man, all he wants to do is stay on the straight and narrow and leave his troubled past behind him.
But for Joshua’s mother Evelyn, eleven years in jail isn’t nearly enough. Consumed by grief and rage, she has been waiting for Aaron’s release, counting down the days until she can exact the revenge he deserves. And now that time has come.
But as Evelyn and her husband Tobias embark on a road trip to track Aaron down, they find themselves caught on two different sides of a gripping game of cat-and-mouse. Because Tobias knows what Evelyn is planning, and he will do anything to save her from herself.
Even if it means protecting the man who killed their son.

Locked in a collision course set in motion eleven years ago, Aaron, Evelyn and Tobias are about to find out whether the road they have chosen leads to redemption . . . or to retribution.

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MY REVIEW:

“Maybe I am a monster, but I can’t stop now. Not now I’m so close. I could never live with myself if he walked free.”

Evelyn and Tobias Moore’s world is shattered when their son, Joshua, is killed in a hit and run. Now, Aaron Alexander – the man responsible – is being released after serving 11 years but for Joshua’s mother that isn’t justice. She wants revenge; and she’s been counting down the days until she can make that happen. Now, that time has finally come. But as Evelyn and Tobias embark on their journey, they are on two opposing sides: Evelyn dead set on revenge, while Tobias wants to save his wife from herself. Their road trip towards vengeance and murder quickly becomes a nail-biting game of cat and mouse. Can there be redemption?

“I’ve got to do what I was afraid to do before. I’ve got to try and stop her.” 

He’s done it again! Unbearably tense, twisty, unpredictable and heartfelt, Redemption is another five-star read from the King of dilemma thriller, Jack Jordan. A master-class in thriller writing, this book has it all: action, suspense, foreboding and violence, but also heart, grief, rage, bitterness and hope. The story is told in five parts that begin with flashbacks to Evelyn and Tobias’ life in happier times. These sections were so emotional, emphasising the magnitude of their loss and how much their lives have changed since Joshua’s death. There is such a stark contrast that I’d have believed you if you’d told me I was reading about two different couples. Jordan makes you feel ALL the feelings, expertly conveying the nuances of grief and how that can look different for everyone. I got book whiplash as I would be close to crying one moment and on the edge of my seat the next, holding on tight with the breakneck speed of the chase.

“I didn’t realise how all-encompassing grief could be. How tyrannical the rage against injustice would be on my thinking…”

Jordan’s characters are always nuanced, relatable and deeply human. One of the things I love most about his book is his expertise at writing anti-heroes you can’t help but root for. He weaves their anguish, pain, dilemmas and humanity into the narrative, highlighting all the shades of grey and making it possible to see yourself in their shoes. Evelyn and Aaron are perfect examples of this. Evelyn’s every word, thought and action is raw, sizzling with white-hot rage, resentment, hatred, bitterness, pain and grief.  She can’t see straight for the need for vengeance and her need to exact what she determines to be justice overwhelms everything else. And as a mother I could understand it. I’m not a vengeful person but I can’t imagine how I would cope in her position and I had a lot of empathy for her, even if I was rooting for Tobias to stop her before she went too far. Meanwhile, Aaron seems like the obvious villain of the story, yet Jordan makes him human with his tragic backstory and deep remorse. I ended up really liking him and rooting for him to survive. Then there is Tobias. Tobias is a broken man who not only lost his only child, but also his wife the night Joshua died. Jordan really makes you feel his heartache and loneliness. His dilemma is palpable as he is torn between helping Evelyn and saving her from herself, even if it means helping the man who killed his child. It was an impossible situation and I felt for him even more as he is thrown into becoming someone he doesn’t recognise in his quest to stop Evelyn. 

“Maybe I am a monster, but I can’t stop now. Not now I’m so close. I could never live with myself if he walked free.”

Intense, heart-rending and bingeable, Redemption is another unmissable thriller from Mr. Jordan. Read it now!

Rating: 🦂🦂🦂🦂🦂

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MEET THE AUTHOR:

Jack Jordan is the global number one bestselling author of Anything for Her (2015), My Girl (2016), A Woman Scorned (2018), Before Her Eyes (2018) and Night by Night (2019). His thriller, Do No Harm, was an instant Times bestseller and shortlisted for the Most Recommended Book in the DeadGood Reader Awards. Coined the thriller of the summer for 2022, it was described as “relentlessly tense” by Sunday Times Bestseller Lesley Kara, and “Chilling and perfectly paced” by New York Times Bestseller Sarah Pearse. The idea for Do No Harm came to Jack after undergoing a minor medical procedure where he had to be sedated and trust strangers with his welfare. After the anaesthesia wore off, Jack began scribbling his notes, wondering to himself just how iron-clad a surgeon’s oath is, and what it would take to break it…

Jack’s latest book, Conviction, was published in June 2023 and featured in Cosmopolitan’s ‘best new books out in June’ round-up, it was also chosen as one of the June featured books by Magic Radio’s Book Club and the audiobook was selected for Fingerprint Award at Capital Crime 2024.

His next book, Redemption, publishes this June.

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BUY THE BOOK:

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

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Thanks for readign, Bibliophiles xxxx

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book reviews Emma's Anticipated Treasures Most Anticipated 2024 Squadpod Squadpod Featured Books Squadpod Recommends

SQUADPOD BLOG BLAST: Under Her Roof by A. A. Chaudhuri

Published June 13th, 2024 by Hera
Thriller, Psychological Fiction, Suspense

Happy Publication Day to A. A. Chaudhuri and welcome to my stop on the SquadPod Collective Book Blast for Under Her Roof. Thank you to Hera for my proof copy in exchange for an honest review.

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ABOUT THE BOOK:

‘Intense, intricate and packed with intrigue…a thrilling and addictive read.’ B.A. Paris

It seems too good to be true…

When struggling writer Sebastian finds a room to let in a palatial Hampstead residence he cannot believe his luck. The rent is ridiculously cheap and he immediately feels a connection with his beautiful widowed landlady, Adriana.

It is.

Things take a dark turn when he finds out what happened to the last lodger. Could this be why the house is a fortress of security, and why Adriana seems so fragile? Adriana doesn’t want to talk about the death and sadness that seem to follow her wherever she goes and Sebastian has secrets of his own.

Now someone is watching their every move and there is nowhere to hide.

This house of light becomes a dark nightmare as the threat ramps up – what does the watcher want? And how far will they go to get it?

A gripping, twisty thriller perfect for fans of B.A. Paris, Shari Lapena and Lucy Foley. If you were hooked by Netflix series You or The Watcher then you will love this.

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MY REVIEW:

When struggling writer, Seb, finds a cheap room for rent in a luxurious Hampstead house he worries it is too good to be true. His misgivings aren’t eased by the house’s fortress-like security or the dark circumstances of her last lodger’s tragic ending, but when he meets the mysterious widowed landlady, Adriana, he is put at ease and struck by an instant connection with her. But, what neither of them know is that there is someone watching their every move. What does this watcher want? And do the dark secrets they are both hiding have anything to do with it? 

Intense, cryptic and suspenseful, Under Her Roof is another jaw-dropping thriller from A. A. Chaudhuri. Sizzling with dark secrets, suspicion and intrigue, I couldn’t put this down and devoured the book quickly. Chaudhuri is a must-read author for me and she gets better with every book. Expertly written and cleverly plotted, this was impossible to predict. My mind raced with theories and suspicions, but I couldn’t see how the many different threads of the story would connect until Chaudhuri skillfully intertwined them, delivering shocking twists that changed everything I thought I knew. Looking back, I can see the breadcrumbs she’d subtly sprinkled throughout the story, but I couldn’t see the full picture until she revealed it. Brava, Ms. Chaudhuri.

The story is told by multiple narrators in multiple timelines and all of the characters are richly drawn, complex and fractured. Adriana and Seb are two of the narrators and while both of them are likeable, we have no idea if they are reliable as they admit they are hiding dark secrets they are terrified of being revealed. No one in this story is completely innocent and an air of suspicion surrounds all of them and the tension radiates from the pages, keeping you on the edge of your seat from start to finish. The story’s other narrators’ identities are a mystery that isn’t revealed until the dramatic finale. One of these is the ‘villain’ of the story. The mysterious person watching Adriana and Seb under the cover of looking out for her. This is a dark, sinister and dangerous character who will go to any lengths to ‘help’ Adriana and while there were a number of suspects I had in mind, my mind was blown when their true identity was revealed. 

Dark, devious, twisty and unpredictable, Under Her Roof is a high-octane psychological thriller that keeps you guessing until the last page. Once again Ms. Chaudhuri has shown why she is one of the best thriller writers you will read. Highly recommended. 

Rating: ✮✮✮✮.5

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MEET THE AUTHOR:

A.A. Chaudhuri is a former City lawyer turned thriller writer, born and raised in Portsmouth, but who now lives in Surrey with her family. Once a highly ranked British junior tennis player, competing in the national championships and a member of the national squad, she went on to tour the women’s professional satellite circuit as a teenager and achieved a world ranking of 650.

THE SCRIBE and THE ABDUCTION, published by LUME BOOKS in July and December 2019, are her first crime book series, plunging readers into London’s glamorous legal world and featuring series’ heroine, Maddy Kramer, fiction’s first female City lawyer amateur sleuth, who teams up with charismatic DCI Jake Carver to solve a gruesome series of murders and a puzzling abduction. THE SCRIBE and THE ABDUCTION were published as audio books by Isis Audio on 1st January and 1st March 2021, both read by David Thorpe.

She has also contributed an original short story THE ENCOUNTER to crime anthology GIVEN IN EVIDENCE published by LUME BOOKS in May 2020, has written many articles and short stories for The Crime Writers’ Association.

Her first psychological thriller with HERA BOOKS, SHE’S MINE, was published in e-book, paperback and audio in August 2021, the second, THE LOYAL FRIEND, was published in all three formats in June 2022 and published in the USA by Canelo US on 20th June 2023. Her third, THE FINAL PARTY, was published on May 25th 2023. It will be released in audiobook on 1st February 2024.

Her fourth psychological thriller – UNDER HER ROOF – will be released on 13th June 2024.

Besides being an avid reader, she enjoys fitness, films, anything Italian and a good margarita!

All of Alex’s books have achieved bestseller status on Amazon UK, Amazon US, Amazon Australia and Amazon Canada.

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Thanks for reading, Bibliophiles xxxx

Categories
Beat the Backlist book reviews Emma's Anticipated Treasures

Audiobook Review: How To Kill Men and Get Away with It by Katy Brent

Published February 16th 2023 by HQ
Thriller, Mystery, Suspense, Psychological Thriller, Dark Comedy, Contemporary Romance

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ABOUT THE BOOK:

Meet Kitty Collins.

FRIEND. LOVER. KILLER.

He was following me. That guy from the nightclub who wouldn’t leave me alone.

I hadn’t intended to kill him of course. But I wasn’t displeased when I did and, despite the mess I made, I appeared to get away with it.

That’s where my addiction started…

I’ve got a taste for revenge and quite frankly, I’m killing it.

A deliciously dark, hilariously twisted story about friendship, love, and murder. Fans of My Sister the Serial Killer, How to Kill Your Family and Killing Eve will love this wickedly clever novel!

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MY REVIEW:

“The men I kill deserve it. Every single last little bit of it…”

Influencer Kitty Collins is followed home from a night out by the man who wouldn’t leave her alone in the night club. When he attacks her she accidentally kills him and, to her surprise, seems to get away with it. That night is the start of Kitty’s addiction. She has a taste for revenge. And she knows how to get away with murder…

A deliciously dark, twisted, witty and addictive story of friendship, love, life and murder, How To Kill Men and Get Away With It is an intoxicating mix of Dexter, Sweetpea and How To Kill Your Family. I devoured this in just a few hours, hooked from the first page and unable to stop once I’d started listening. The ink-black humour had me laughing out loud and there is an added layer of mystery to the story thanks to Kitty’s stalker and I enjoyed trying to guess who they might be, going through a number of suspects before ultimately deciding on my prediction.

I loved Kitty’s snarky, warped and fiery character. She’s someone I think all women will relate to on some level with her frustration of how some men treat women without any comeback. And while I’d obviously never kill anyone, I did enjoy living vicariously through Kitty as she took revenge on men for their predatory behaviour. Kitty’s relationship with her friends are a big part of the story and I enjoyed seeing this side to her, as well as the dilemmas it raised as she tries to keep her murderous activities secret. I also really enjoyed seeing her vulnerable and kind of insecure side to her when she met and fell for Charlie. Despite it all, I was rooting for her to find a happy ending rather than living her life alone wreaking revenge. 

Darkly funny, compelling and unflinching, this fast-paced thriller is one not to be missed.

Rating: ✮✮✮✮✰

*I listened to this on Bookbeat. Click here to get 2 months listening for free*

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MEET THE AUTHOR:

Katy is an author and award-winning journalist from the UK. She has worked on newspapers, magazines and websites since 2005, writing about popular culture. How To Kill Men and Get Away With It is her first novel.

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Categories
book reviews

BOOK REVIEW: An Idle Woman by Wendy Parkins

Published June 14th, 2024 by Legend Press
Historical Fiction, Biographical Fiction

Welcome to my review for this powerful and moving novel. Thank you Legend Press for sending me a copy of the book in exchange for my honest review.

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BOOK DESCRIPTION:

ONE WOMAN CLAIMS THE POWER TO TAKE CHARGE OF HER OWN DESTINY

1838, England: When eighteen-year-old Frances Dickinson impulsively marries Lieutenant John Geils, all her hopes for her future are quickly shattered as she finds there is much about her husband she did not know. A cruel and violent man, John keeps Frances in isolation on his family’s estate, while spending her fortune and preying upon their maids.

Frances yearns to break free from her marriage but the law is not on her side. Only when John’s abuse escalates can she set in motion a daring plan to secure her freedom.

A story of gaslighting, control and one woman’s fight, An Idle Woman is the true story behind one of the most sensational divorce trials of the nineteenth century.

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MY REVIEW:

Powerful, heartfelt and affecting, An Idle Woman tells the true story of one of Britain’s most sensational divorce trials. I had never heard of Frances Dickinson or this divorce trial, but as a domestic abuse survivor I felt compelled to read her story. Told in mixed media from multiple points of view, it took me a while to get into but once I’d got used to the writing style I couldn’t put it down. The addition of the historical note on marriage and divorce that the publisher enclosed with the book was fascinating, as was the author’s note at the end, and was helpful in allowing me to understand how society viewed women, marriage, and divorce at the time of this story. Wendy Parkins’ meticulous research is evident throughout the book and combines with her evocative writing to breathe life into the story and real-life people it portrays. Emotion drenches the pages and Parkin evoked such a visceral reaction from me that at times I wanted to scream at some of the characters as I witnessed the agony, manipulation and injustice that was suffered. 

Domestic abuse is not an easy subject to read about, and while this is obviously an unsettling and difficult read, it is an important one. As a fellow survivor of domestic abuse there were many times I felt like I was reading my own history on these pages. I know what it’s like to think you’re going crazy because someone is gaslighting you into believing that’s true, to walk on eggshells, and to think that if only you could be a better wife he might be a better husband. But despite all I went through, I know I was lucky. Because once I found the strength to leave my abuser I knew the law was on my side, that I could get a divorce, and that I could protect my son. Frances had none of those things available to her and I can only begin to imagine the terror and despair she must have felt, especially knowing that John would legally be entitled to their children. She was a remarkable woman and her strength, resilience and bravery were evident throughout.  The inclusion of so many of her diary entries and letters made it feel like we were really getting a glimpse of who Frances was, and it felt like she’d poured out her heart onto those pages. Frances’ story is one many of us will recognise, but what I’ve taken away from it is how she refused to lose herself, her children or her freedom and fought seemingly insurmountable odds to live a happy life. 

Captivating, moving and heartbreakingly real, this is a story that demands to be read. 

Rating: ✮✮✮✮✰

TW: Domestic abuse, gaslighting, coercive control. 

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MEET THE AUTHOR:

Wendy Parkins was born in Sydney and now lives in Dunedin, New Zealand. She has held academic posts at universities in Australia, New Zealand, and the UK, where she was Professor of Victorian Literature at the University of Kent until 2018. Her memoir, Every Morning, So Far, I’m Alive, was published in 2019. An Idle Woman is her first novel.

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Thanks for reading, Bibliophiles xxx