Tag: mystery

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Audio Books book reviews Emma's Anticipated Treasures

BOOK REVIEW: Serenity Falls by C. J. Tudor

Published September 10th, 2026 by Michael Joseph
Thriller, Suspense, Mystery, Horror

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ABOUT THE BOOK:

Welcome to Serenity Falls – the most idyllic, and safest, town in the US – a place to grow up, grow your family and grow old together. For Dan and his daughter, Sadie, it’s the perfect relocation option. A fresh start, thousands of miles from their troubled past in the UK.

But their idyll is shattered when they find a dead body in the swimming pool of their new house – a house Dan’s late mother kept secret from him all his life.

It’s just the start of a series of disturbing discoveries. Abandoned houses where people have seemingly just upped and left. The strange woman Sadie sees around town putting up ‘missing’ posters for a child who drowned almost thirty years ago. An ice cream van that drives around at night making sure residents are asleep…

As plans gear up to celebrate Serenity Falls’ fiftieth anniversary, something is stirring beneath the surface of the blissful façade. Is Serenity Falls really the perfect town or is it founded on something far darker? And is someone so desperate to keep its secrets that they’d resort to anything to preserve them?

Welcome to Serenity Falls.
Once you’re here, you’re here to stay.

Serenity Falls’ first readers have fallen in love with it…

buy here

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MY REVIEW:

Welcome to Serenity Falls. An idyllic, gated town that is known as the safest place to live in the US, it seems like the ideal place for Dan and his teenage daughter, Sadie, to make a fresh start. But when they arrive at their new home they are shocked to find a body floating face down in their pool. Especially as they were told there is no crime in Serenity Falls. But this place is not what it seems and as the days go by Dan and Sadie notice cracks in the friendly residents, bright smiles and perfect homes. They begin to realise that Serenity Falls is a place filled with dark secrets that some people will kill to keep hidden.

Ominous, dark, eerie and unsettling, C. J. Tudor has knocked it out of the park once again, holding me in a chokehold from the first page until the heart-stopping finale. Exquisitely written, shrewdly plotted and expertly paced, this book showcases why Will Dean has called C. J. ‘the maestro of macabre’. It’s claustrophobic, chilling and uncomfortable, this is a masterclass in malice. The suspense and dread are omnipresent, like there is danger lurking in every corner of this picture-perfect paradise. C. J is an expert at taking the ordinary and turning it into a nightmare. I know I’ll never look at an ice cream van the same way again after reading this book. As secrets are uncovered skeletons come out of the closet and tradies are discovered, changing everything we think we know about this town.

Serenity Falls is based on the real town of Celebration in Florida which used to be owned by Disney, which is the company that inspired the Winsome Corporation. I have been to Disney World twice and visited Celebration in 2016 and can see how both places could inspire a sinister, secretive story such as this one. C. J. perfectly captures the cookie-cutter perfection of the town and I can only begin to imagine how living in a place governed by so many strict rules could get stifling. Especially as in the fictional Serenity Falls there are no mobile phones allowed, people have to wear a special bracelet at all times and there is a strict curfew that everyone must adhere to. 

There is a huge cast of great characters and many of them are narrators, which can make it a little confusing at times. But I also really enjoyed those different perspectives as they allowed us glimpses into different lives and there were times where what I knew made me terrified for Dan or Sadie and I just wanted to jump into the book and help them. 

A deliciously unsettling thriller, add this to your spooky season TBR now.

Rating: ✮✮✮✮✰

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

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ABOUT THE AUTHOR:

C. J. Tudor lives with her partner and young daughter. Her love of writing, especially the dark and macabre, started young. When her peers were reading Judy Blume, she was devouring Stephen King and James Herbert.

Over the years she has had a variety of jobs, including trainee reporter, radio scriptwriter, dog walker, voiceover artist, television presenter, copywriter and, now, author.

Her first novel, The Chalk Man, was a Sunday Times bestseller and sold in thirty-nine territories.

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Thanks for reading, Bibliophiles xxxxx

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Blog Tours book reviews

BLOG TOUR: Watch Them Disappear by Carla Kovac (Detective Gina Harte, Book 19)

Publised September 21st, 2026 by Bookouture
Thriller, Mystery, Crime Fiction, Suspense, Police Procedural, Crime Series, Noir Fiction, Romance Novel

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ABOUT THE BOOK:

The house where she lives alone lies dark and empty, her bed still perfectly made. Her car waits in the carpark, her phone unanswered. Mindy Carson has vanished into thin air…

When Ursula leaves work for the evening, she’s shocked to see her friend’s car still parked nearby. Happy-go-lucky dog groomer Mindy left for home ages ago. Something is desperately wrong. On the window is an unmistakable smear of blood.

As police visit Mindy’s home on the outskirts of town, everything looks in order, until they notice the small red light in the corner of her bedroom. Then another, and another. There are cameras watching her every move…

Unpacking Mindy’s life piece by piece, police start to wonder whether Ursula knows more than she’s letting on. Had she found out about her husband’s secret messages to Mindy? Who was the person behind the cameras, watching Mindy’s most private moments? And was the local teenager making Mindy’s life hell really the last person to see her?

When the body of a young woman is found in a local park, police fear they are too late to save Mindy. And when another person is reported missing, it’s clear she isn’t the only one being watched. Does the killer have another victim in their sights? And can they catch them before another life disappears forever?

Prepare to be absolutely hooked by the latest nail-biting thriller from bestselling author Carla Kovach. Perfect for fans of Rachel Abbott, Angela Marsons and Karin Slaughter.

buy here

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MY REVIEW:

Mindy left work hours ago, so Ursula is surprised to find her car still parked nearby. And when she sees the smear of blood on the window, she knows something bad has happened to her friend. Detective Gina Harte and her team are called in to investigate. At Mindy’s house they notice cameras hidden in her fire alarms. Someone has been secretly watching Mindy. Does Ursula know more than she’s admitting? As they race to find Mindy, a woman’s body is found in the park. Are they too late? And when another person is reported missing, they are worried that the killer has their sights set on another victim. Can they catch them before they kill again?

Carla Kovach’s Gina Harte series has been one of my favourite police procedurals for years. She always delivers a first-class thriller filled with great characters, menacing crimes, important topics and recurring characters I love returning to time and again. And this latest installment is her best yet. Nail-biting, twisty and addictive, Carla had me in a chokehold from start to finish. And this time she’s exploring the damaging effect of revenge porn and the dangerous allure of the dark web. On the lighter side of things, I really enjoyed seeing Gina happy again in her new relationship. But that ending! Carla, how could you. You totally broke my heart and I don’t think I’ll get over what happened.

One of Carla’s skills is writing fantastic characters who are flawed and real. She has created some brilliant characters in this story, including Mindy, Ursula, Brian and Tabitha. I was rooting for Mindy to be found before it was too late, but as time ticked by I worried they wouldn’t find her in time. Teenage siblings Brian and Tabitha brought out my maternal side and I just wanted to reach into the book to protect them from themselves. But the most memorable character from this book has to be the man in the Morph mask. This man was utterly terrifying but I loved reading the chapters from his perspective. As I read his sinister thoughts and plans I was holding my breath wondering if Gina and her team could find him before he was able to complete his terrible scheme. 

Highly recommended.

Rating: ✮✮✮✮✰

Thank you to Bookouture for the invitation to take part in the blog tour and for sending me a copy of the book in exchange for my honest review.

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ABOUT THE AUTHOR:

Carla has been writing seriously since her mid-thirties. She started by writing stage plays which led to her producing and directing her own full length piece of theatre. After that, she decided to write films and books where she began by self-publishing. In the past, she has acted in a few indie films and has also co-owned a photography and video production company.

Right now, she is a full time crime and thriller author living in Worcester with her husband, Nigel and Poppy the cat.

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Thanks for reading, Bibliophiles xxxxx

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

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Blog Tours book reviews Emma's Anticipated Treasures

BLOG TOUR: Pride, Prejudice and Peril by Jessica Bull

Publised September 17th, 2026 by Michael Joseph
Historical Fiction, Historical Mystery, Crime Fiction, Mystery, Suspense, Cozy Mystery

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ABOUT THE BOOK:

Jane Austen is preparing for the summer season.

As guests of their wealthy relatives Mr and Mrs Leigh-Perrot, Jane and her sister Cassandra will be holidaying in Bath Spa – the world-famous health resort, and more importantly, the epicentre of the marriage mart.

For many, the summer will be spent hunting husbands. But for Jane, when a series of murders breaks out across the city, she must chase down a killer instead.

With her beloved sister by her side, Jane is determined to bring the murderer to justice. Can she stop this villain from taking any more victims, before the summer ends? Or will her only dance of the season be with death…

BUY HERE

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MY REVIEW:

October 1799. Jane and her sister Cassandra are staying with their wealthy aunt and uncle in Bath Spa – a place famous for healing health and the epicentre of the marriage mart. But Jane isn’t interested in either of those things. She is here to try and forge links to the literary world. However, things soon take a very different turn when her aunt is accused of theft and a gentleman’s body is pulled from the River Avon. There is a mystery waiting to be solved and Jane and Cassandra are on the case. Soon, they find links between the two cases and a mysterious man named Mr. Rex who is trying to blackmail them. Who is Mr. Rex? And how did he discover their secrets? Can they find him and stop him before he claims another victim?

Charming, witty and uplifting, we’re back with another delightful whodunnit featuring amateur detective Jane Austen. Exquisitely written, cleverly crafted and richly imagined, Jessica Bull transports us back in time and immerses us in Jane’s world, where there always seems to be a new mystery that needs to be solved. In this installment there are a number of different investigations at first, but it soon becomes clear there are links between them. The cases are cryptic and complex, with many threads to unravel and a multitude of suspects, but our intrepid heroine doesn’t give up and eventually puts all the pieces of the puzzle together. 

Jane is a fabulous protagonist. Intelligent and feisty, she knows exactly what she wants and isn’t afraid to go after it. I love how she rallies against societal norms, pursuing a career in literature instead of settling down and finding a husband. One of my favourite things about this series is Jane’s bonds with her siblings, particularly the close bond between Jane and her elder sister, Cassandra, who often helps Jane in her investigations. In this book their bond seems closer than ever and I loved watching them work together. They are very different, but those differences compliment one another and help them as they try to solve a case. 

So if you’re looking for a cosy mystery that is also an absolute riot, this is the book for you.

Rating: ✮✮✮✮.5

Thanks to Vic at Insta Book Tours for the invitation to take part in the blog tour and Michael Joseph for sending me a copy of the book in exchange for my honest review.

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ABOUT THE AUTHOR:

Jessica Bull lives in South East London with her husband and two daughters. A former librarian and communications consultant, she studied English literature at Bristol University and information science at City, University of London. Miss Austen Investigates, her debut novel, was published in 2024. Pride, Prejudice and Peril is her fourth book.

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Thanks for reading, Bibliophiles xxxxx

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

BOOK REVIEW: How To Disappear by Gillian McAllister

Published July 9th, 2020 by Michael Joseph
Thriller, Mystery, Suspense, Psychological Fiction, Legal Fiction, Domestic Fiction, Political Fiction

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ABOUT THE BOOK:

The gripping Sunday Times bestseller that will have you on the edge of your seat until the very last page

‘Bravo! Gripping and emotional – a cracking read’ Clare Mackintosh

‘A relentless drumroll of suspense . . . ranks among the best psychological-suspense thrillers of recent years’ A. J. Finn

You can run, you can hide, but can you disappear for good?

Lauren’s daughter Zara witnessed a terrible crime. But speaking up comes with a price, and when Zara’s identity is revealed online, it puts a target on her back.

The only choice is to disappear.

To keep Zara safe, Lauren will give up everything and everyone she loves, even her husband.

There will be no goodbyes. Their pasts will be rewritten. New names, new home, new lives.

The rules are strict for a reason. They are being hunted. One mistake – a text, an Instagram like – could bring their old lives crashing into the new.

They can never assume someone isn’t watching, waiting.

As Lauren will learn, disappearing is easy. Staying hidden is harder . . .

BUY HERE

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MY REVIEW:

After witnessing a group of young men stabbing a homeless man to death, Zara speaks up and testifies in court. The young men, who were promising footballers, are outraged that they have lost their careers and had their life ruined. Her identity is revealed online and Zara’s life is now in danger. There is only one solution: Zara and her mother, Lauren, must disappear…

Heart-stoppingly tense, twisty and addictive, I binged this book in under a day. Nobody goes heart-pounding tension and twists that make your jaw drop like Gillian McAllister, and this book is the perfect example of why she’s one of my favourite thriller authors. Masterfully written and skillfully choreographed, this is a story that held me tight by the heartstrings whilst keeping me on the edge of my seat. And make sure you clear your schedule before you start reading, because once you pick this one up you won’t be able to put it down. It’s emotional, hard to predict and so twisty it gave me book whiplash. And that ending! A round of applause Ms. McAllister for one of the best thriller endings I’ve ever read. It’s been a few weeks and I’m still not over it.

Before Zara witnesses the crime, she, Lauren, Aiden and Poppy are an ordinary blended family. But after Zara’s identity is revealed they are dropped into a nightmare. Lauren and Aiden have difficult decisions to make that could tear their family apart. It is so emotional as well as tense, and really made me think about what I would have done in their situation. My heart broke for them, but especially for Zara. Being a teenager is hard at the best of times, but being a teenager when you’re having to hide your identity, run from people trying to kill you and worry about everything you say and do, is impossible.

Thriller lovers, you don’t want to miss this book! 

Rating: ✮✮✮✮.5

Thank you Michael Joseph and Netgaelly for provoding me with a proof copy of the book in exchange for my honest review.

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ABOUT THE AUTHOR:

Gillian McAllister  is the Sunday Times and New York Times bestselling author of nine stand-alone novels. Her books have been selected for the Radio 2 Book Club, Reese’s Book Club and the Richard & Judy Book Club. Her previous novel, Wrong Place Wrong Time, was a Waterstones Thriller of the Month and was shortlisted for The British Book Awards Crime & Thriller Book of the Year and the Theakston Old Peculier Crime Novel of the Year. Gillian’s books are published in thirty-eight languages.

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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: Time To Burn by Ellery Lloyd

Published July 23rd, 2026 by Pan Macmillan
Historical Fiction, Thriller, Mystery, Science Fiction

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ABOUT THE BOOK:

From the author of The Club, a Reese Witherspoon Book Club Pick, Time to Burn is Ellery Lloyd’s compelling time travel thriller.

If the past catches up with you, time travel can be murder . . .

London, the present day: commercial time travel is a reality.

Tempus Tours – owned by controversial tech entrepreneur Inigo Frank – offers the wealthy a chance to witness pivotal moments in history.

To immortalise his achievement, Frank enlists award-winning filmmaker Phoebe Hunt to create a fly-on-the-wall documentary. On her first day shadowing Inigo, she is set to witness the return of a billionaire property developer and his family from their trip to the past. But instead of their awe-filled return, she captures the group arriving bloodied and traumatized, with one of their number missing.

Not only that, but Phoebe recognizes the missing woman. She knows not only that she’s not who she claims to be, but that the woman has every reason to harbor a grudge against her. And as events begin to unravel in the present day, it seems increasingly clear that the woman had sinister motives for returning to the past – and that people close to Phoebe are in danger.

Can Phoebe stop the ripple effect before she loses everything – and everyone – she holds dear?

BUY HERE

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MY REVIEW:

Have you ever wanted to go back in time and witness some of the most pivotal moments in history? Well now you can with Tempus Tours, a commercial time travel business that allows you to do just that. For a hefty price tag of course. Tempus’ owner, controversial tech entrepreneur Inigo Frank, decides he wants his achievements immortalised and invites award-winning filmmaker Phoebe Hunt to create a fly-on-the-wall documentary that goes behind the scenes at Tempus. She will start by capturing the return of a group who travelled back to the Blitz. But things don’t go to plan and the group return injured and bloody, while one member, Sasha, is left stranded in 1941. As Inigo and his team try to figure out how to rescue Sasha, Phoebe realises she recognises the missing woman. And she’s not who she says she is. And as events unfold, we learn she has sinister motives for remaining in the past that could change everything for people in the present.

Suspenseful, transportive, twisty and bingeable, Time To Burn is another winner from Ellery Lloyd. Expertly written and cleverly choreographed, this action-packed historical thriller had me on the edge of my seat from start to finish. The story is told in the present and in 1941, with flashbacks that tell the story of Phoebe and Sasha’s shared past. I was intrigued by the idea of being able to travel back in time to witness history for yourself, but this story serves as a reminder of how such technology can be exploited and the butterfly effect that can occur from going back in time. 

Narrators Phoebe and Sasha are compelling and deeply flawed characters. But I had a real soft spot for these women, even if I didn’t always agree with their actions. We know from the start that their histories are intertwined in some way, that Phoebe regrets her behaviour and understands that Sasha is probably out for revenge, but it takes some time for the full picture to emerge. And when it did I certainly understood Sasha more but still wasn’t on board with her plan for revenge and the way she altered people’s lives.

An addictive and propulsive historical thriller that you don’t want to miss.

Rating: ✮✮✮✮✰

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

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ABOUT THE AUTHOR:

Ellery Lloyd is the pseudonym for New York Times bestselling husband-and-wife writing team Collette Lyons and Paul Vlitos.

Collette is a journalist and editor, the former content director of Elle (UK) and editorial director at Soho House. She has written for The Guardian, The Telegraph, and the Sunday Times.

Paul is the author of two previous novels, Welcome to the Working Week and Every Day is Like Sunday. He is the program director for Professor of Creative Writing at the University of Greenwich.

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Thanks for reading, Bibliophiles xxxxx

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Audio Books Beat the Backlist book reviews

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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Thanks for reading, Bibliophiles xxxxx

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

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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Thanks for reading, Bibliophiles xxxxx

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Audio Books Beat the Backlist book reviews

BOOK REVIEW: Just Like The Other Girls by Claire Douglas

Publised August 6th, 2020 by Michael Joseph
Thriller, Mystery, Suspense, Psychological Fiction, Crime Fiction

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ABOUT THE BOOK:

*CARER/COMPANION WANTED FOR ELDERLY LADY*

*YOUNG FEMALE PREFERRED * COMPETITIVE SALARY*

*ROOM AND BOARD INCLUDED*

Una Richardson is devastated after the death of her mother. Hoping for a fresh start, she responds to an advertisement and steps into the rich, comforting world of elderly Mrs Elspeth McKenzie.

But Elspeth’s home is not as safe as it seems.

Kathryn, her cold and bitter daughter, resents Una’s presence. More disturbing is the evidence suggesting two girls lived here before.

What happened to the girls?

Why will the McKenzies not talk about them?

As the walls close in around her, Una fears she’ll end up just like the other girls . . .

BUY HERE

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MY REVIEW:

When Una answers an ad from an elderly woman looking for a live-in companion, she feels like it’s the fresh start she’s been looking for after the death of her mother and the end of her relationship. And when she steps into Elspeth’s large, comforting home she is filled with hope for the future. But this house isn’t as safe as it seems. It is filled with a dark, dysfunctional family history and Elsepth’s daughter Kathryn is a bitter woman who resents Una’s presence. And then she learns about the two girls who worked there before her. Is this job the answer to Una’s problems? Or just the start of them…

Omg! This was one crazy rollercoaster ride!  Deliciously dark, chilling, sinister and twisty, this addictive thriller had me totally hooked. Expertly written, cleverly choreographed and filled with red herrings, it took me by surprise at every turn. I was on the edge of my seat and devoured the book in under a day. It had been a while since I’d read a book by Claire Douglas, and after reading Just Like The Other Girls I’m wondering why. And I certainly won’t be waiting long before reading more of her backlist.

I love an unreliable narrator and this book was jam-packed full of them. It was obvious that Elspeth and Kathryn were hiding things from the start and you couldn’t trust what they were saying. But the distrust rippled out to the other characters and made me question what almost all of them were saying. And who was the mysterious stalker watching Una who seemed to be involved in her predecessors leaving their positions? One person was a strong suspect for me from the start, but they weren’t the only person I considered as a start and the person I eventually landed on was the right answer. But even then Ms. Douglas had another surprise in store that left my jaw on the floor and changed everything I thought I’d known about the story.

If you’re looking for a dark and unpredictable thriller then I highly recommend you read this book.

Rating: ✮✮✮✮✰

Thank you to Michael Joseph and Netgalley for providing me with a proof copy of the book in exchange for my honest review.

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ABOUT THE AUTHOR:

Claire Douglas worked as a journalist for fifteen years, writing features for women’s magazines and national newspapers, but had dreamed of being a novelist since the age of seven. She finally got her wish after winning the Marie Claire Debut Novel Award with her first novel, The Sisters.
She is a Sunday Times bestseller and a frequent Richard & Judy Book Club pick. Her books have sold over three million copies in the UK alone.
She lives in Bath with her husband and two children.

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Thanks for reading, Bibliophiles xxxx

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Audio Books book reviews

AUDIOBOOK REVIEW: The Midnight Guests by Alex Hay

Published September 10th, 2026 by Headline
Historical Fiction, Historical Mystery, Suspense, Thriller, Crime Fiction, Domestic Fiction, Gay Fiction

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ABOUT THE BOOK:

Welcome to the Hotel Artemis – and an opening night to remember. The White Lotus meets Peaky Blinders in this page-turning new mystery from the bestselling author of The Housekeepers.

1926. Diana Gold, owner and impresario, throws open the doors to the most opulent new hotel in London. As the champagne flows and the chandeliers shimmer, millionaires and gamblers rub shoulders with film stars and royalty.

Yet nothing at the Hotel Artemis is quite what it seems – not least two infamous guests who Diana expects at midnight. Powerful and dangerous, they’ve dragged her from the gutter and taught her all she knows. Now they’re calling in her debt – and Diana must take perfect care of them, unless they take care of her first.

But when a body is found in the hotel’s finest suite, the lavish opening night begins to spiral out of control. And over twenty-four fateful hours, the staff and guests of the Artemis will find out why they are really there.

buy here

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MY REVIEW:

Glamorous, entertaining, immersive and twisty, The Midnight Guests is an absolute delight. Cosy crime at its best, the story is told in dual timelines over two fateful twenty four hours. 

May 1st, 1926. The night of the grand opening of the Hotel Artemis, which is owned by socialite and impresario Diana Gold. Tonight the champagne will flow as prominent guests enjoy the result of months of her hard work. But there are two guests that Diana is not looking forward to welcoming; two infamous people who could give away the truth that lies beneath the glittering facade of this opulent hotel. Because the Hotel Artemis isn’t what it seems and Diana is hiding some dark secrets. And when a body is found in one of the lavish suites, it sparks a chain reaction of events that spirals out of control.

Meanwhile, in January 2026, Joe Carberry is staying at the Hotel Artemis for its final night in business. But Joe has ulterior motives for his stay. He is here to try and uncover the identity of the two bodies that were found in the hotel’s crypt a century ago. Could the bodies be linked to the tragic events that unfolded on opening night? And if so, who will end their night dead in the crypt? And why? 

Part The Great Gatsby and part Peaky Blinders, there is an elegance merged with a sense of danger and criminality in this book that feels intoxicating. Well-written, expertly plotted, intricately interwoven and surprising, Alex Hay crafted a treasure trove of mysteries and misdirects and transported me back back to the roaring 1920s with all of its sophistication and glamour. An array of potential victims and suspects kept me guessing and I was on tenterhooks from start to finish.

The story is filled with a collection of charismatic characters who leap from the pages. But the characters I loved most were the array of strong, feisty, audacious and devious women who were unashamedly themselves. These women were taking their lives into their own hands and refusing to conform to societal expectations or cow down to men. I had a real soft spot for Cleo and loved her character arc. But there were some great male characters, too, and I enjoyed reading Joe and following his journey as he tried to uncover the truth about the bodies in the vault. 

A glamorous and entertaining murder mystery that you don’t want to miss.

Rating: ✮✮✮✮✰

Thank you Headline and Netgalley for my copy of the book in exchange for my honest reivew.

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ABOUT THE AUTHOR:

Alex Hay is a bestselling author whose debut novel The Housekeepers was a Waterstones Book of the Month and Paperback of the Year and won the Caledonia Novel Award 2022. He is also the author of The Queen of Fives and The Midnight Guests, both published to great acclaim. Alex was born in London and now lives in Brighton, U.K. with his husband. He is currently working on his next book.

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Thanks for reading, Bibliophiles xxxx

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Audio Books Book Features Emma's Anticipated Treasures

BOOK REVIEW: The Secrets We Hide by Karin Slaughter

Published June 18th, 2026 by Harper Fiction
Mystery, Thriller, Suspense, Crime Fiction, Psycological Thriller, Southern Fiction, Police Procedural

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ABOUT THE BOOK:

Welcome to North Falls―a small town with big secrets.

The house at 1601 Iris Drive looks like any other in the quiet, residential street. But rumours are rife about the Vickery family – a couple in the midst of a volatile separation and a daughter with secrets of her own.

Then one afternoon gunshots ring out. Allison Vickery is found murdered in her own kitchen, her teenage daughter bleeding and left for dead. Her husband suspiciously absent.

Everyone in North Falls thinks they know what happened. Gossip and rumours spread like wildfire. But the truth is far more shocking than anyone could ever have imagined.

Secrets are everywhere in this small town. Everyone is hiding something. It’s up to Detective Emmy Clifton to uncover the truth, but the deeper she looks the darker it gets…

A gripping and twisty thriller, perfect or fans of Lisa Jewell, Andrea Mara and Shari Lapena

BUY HERE

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MY REVIEW:

We’re back in North Falls for the second book in Karin Slaughter’s newest series. 

On her way home from her mother’s funeral, Detective Emmy Clifton hears shots ringing out from one of the houses. She and her sister, Jude, go to investigate and find Allison Vickery lying dead on her kitchen floor. Her teenage daughter Mandy is found bleeding and left for dead. Noticeably absent is Allison’s husband, Bill, who is a known domestic abuser. The case seems clear cut. But the truth will shock everyone…

Karin Slaughter never disappoints. When I pick up one of her books I know I’m getting a dark, tense and twisty thriller that will have me in a chokehold from start to finish. Her latest offering, The Secrets We Hide, further cements that reputation. Suspenseful, gritty, clever, immersive and propulsive, Karin delivers another page-turner that kept me on the edge of my seat. Karin explores some dark and important topics including the relationship between mothers and daughters, secrets, lies, coercive control and corruption. It is achingly human and brimming with emotion that will put you through the wringer alongside the characters. But I loved being back with them and in North Falls.  It is expertly written and impeccably crafted, and showcases why Karin has had such a long and successful career.

One of Karin’s greatest talents is writing about smalltown life and exploring the darkness that can lurk in its shadows. And that darkness is seeping from every pore of this book, reminding us that even the place we call home can be a place of danger and that things aren’t always what they appear to be on the surface. And because the story is set in such a small town, Emmy knows the victims and suspects and I found that because she was, I was even more invested in getting justice.

Action-packed and addictive, this is a must for any thriller lover.

Rating: ✮✮✮✮✰

Thank you to Harper Fiction for sendind me a proof copy of the book in exchange for my honest review.

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ABOUT THE AUTHOR:

Karin Slaughter is one of the world’s most popular and acclaimed storytellers.

She is the #1 New York Times bestselling author of more than twenty-five novels, including the Edgar nominated Cop Town and standalone novels Pretty Girls and False Witness. An international bestseller, Slaughter is published in 120 countries with more than 40 million copies sold across the globe. Pieces of Her, based on her novel, debuted at #1 worldwide on Netflix as an original series in 2022. Her bestselling thriller series, Will Trent, is now a television and streaming sensation in its 4th season. The Good Daughter will soon be a limited series starring Rose Byrne and Meghann Fahy, and further projects are currently in development for film/TV. Karin Slaughter is the founder of the Save the Libraries project—a nonprofit organization established to support libraries and library programming. A native of Georgia, she lives in Atlanta.

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Thanks for reading, Bibliophiles xxxx

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