Tag: October 2026

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book reviews Emma's Anticipated Treasures

BOOK REVIEW: Life Out of Order by Audrey Niffenegger

Published October 13th, 2026 by Vintage
Literary Fiction, Science Ficiton, Time-Travel Fiction, Magical Realism

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ABOUT THE BOOK:

Two great loves. A world in chaos. And a life that never lands in order.

Alba DeTamble is a time traveler, slipping unpredictably through decades like her father before her. But the hardest thing she carries isn’t the burden of futures she can’t understand, or pasts she cannot change – it’s a secret: she is in love with two different people.

Each of them offers a different life. Zach lives in the present and can’t follow her when she disappears. Oliver can travel through time, just like she can.

As Alba careens from time to time, moving from the riot-torn Chicago streets of her present to the eerie, timeless Yellow House, and into the digital corridors of the Museum of Lost Souls and a flooded future London, she must face a question she can no longer avoid: how is it possible to love, and live a meaningful life, in an increasingly troubled, fractured world?

Intimate and expansive, Life Out of Order is a kaleidoscopic story of love, resilience and hope when time is running out.

BUY HERE

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MY REVIEW:

The Time Traveler’s Wife immediately became one of my favourite books when I read it back in my twenties. So when I heard that Audrey Niffenegger was releasing a sequel that would focus on Clare and Henry’s daughter, Alba, I knew I HAD to read it. It was time to step back in this strange world where time travel is real and, for some people, life isn’t linear.

When I started this book I thought I was going to get a coming-of-age story about Alba and a glimpse of how Clare was doing all these years later. Instead I got a story about politics, AI and the end of the world. While we do see Alba grow and learn how to live her unusual life, that isn’t the main focus of the book. The story opens in 2022, when Alba is 21, but it isn’t the 2022 we remember. The world is in even greater turmoil and Alba and her friends are part of a group of political rebels. From the beginning, this was a confusing and crazy story and I had a fair few ‘wtf’ moments. There are also a Dickensian-level number of characters and it was hard to keep them straight. I struggled to get into the book at first, but as we shifted backwards and forwards through the years alongside Alba, the truth began to unfold and things did make a little more sense. I formed a strong connection to Alba and couldn’t put the book down. I went from being massively behind in the readalong to racing ahead and finishing the book ahead of time.

Imaginative, intelligent and cryptic, this is a kaleidoscopic story of epic proportions. A story of love, life, family, resilience, hope and time, Niffenegger explores some of the most important topics in the world today on these pages. But it was also a let down in many ways. It remained confusing, felt like she was trying to do too much, and there were lots of things that made me deeply uncomfortable. But there are some great things that will remain with me, including how well written many of the characters were. I loved Alba, even if I didn’t always agree with her actions, and it was great to read about Claire as an individual rather than simply part of a relationship with Henry. There are also some great new characters and others who will stay with you for all the wrong reasons, such as Isadora who is so unsettling.

Rating: ✮✮✮.5

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

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ABOUT THE AUTHOR:

Audrey Niffenegger is a visual artist and writer who lives mostly in Chicago and occasionally in London. She has published six books, including the novels The Time Traveler’s Wife and Her Fearful Symmetry. She helped to found the Columbia College Chicago Center for Book and Paper Arts. Her art has been exhibited by Printworks Gallery in Chicago since 1986. She is a Professor in the Fiction Department of Columbia College. Her recent projects include a ballet, Raven Girl, in collaboration with Wayne McGregor for the Royal Opera House Ballet.

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Thanks for reading, Bibliophiles xxxx

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SQUADPOD BOOK CLUB: Miss Bates by Catherine Cliff

Published October 22nd, 2026 by Pegasus Books
Historical Fiction, Reimagining, Literary Fiction

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ABOUT THE BOOK:

Miss Bates, creepy, funny, and heartbreaking, is a daring reimagining of the world of Jane Austen’s Emma. But make no mistake, this is no marriage plot; it is a spinster plot. Or maybe, it is the spinster’s plot.

Henrietta Bates, the iconic bore of Emma, is the opposite of handsome, clever, and rich Emma: she is plain, ill-educated, and impoverished. An unmarried woman of quite a different order from that novel’s proudly single heroine, she is an object of scorn and pity, whose survival depends upon the generosity of her neighbors which she barters for with an unrelenting shower of banal and grateful chatter.

But what if the woman we see in Emma were actually deliberately assuming a role, donning a mask, as a means of managing an untenable situation? What if there was a world of difference between her inward and outward voice? What would the Woodhouses’s Highbury look like from herperspective?

Miss Bates by Catherine Cliff imagines answers to these questions as it chronicles Henrietta Bates’s unexpected and, at times, violent life, navigating a world with no ready-made opportunities, where the stakes are of the highest order. In a debut that is by turns comedic, tragic, startling, and altogether brilliant, Miss Bates turns Austen’s poignant and ridiculous side character into a feminist force who understands innately the life she has been dealt and how to slyly play it to her advantage.

BUY HERE

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MY REVIEW:

Jane Austen’s Emma is a story we all know well. But how well do we really know that world and those characters? That is the starting point for Catherine Cliff’s debut, Miss Bates, which reimagines the world from the perspective of the iconic bore, Henrietta Bates. And unlike most books about that era, this isn’t a book about marriage but a book about spinsterhood, where the life of its heroine takes centre stage rather than a wedding.

Emotional, moving, witty and bold, this is a love letter to Jane Austen’s Emma. Catherine’s affection for the story is evident on every page and I finished this book wanting to reread the original. Well written, acutely observed and detailed, Catherine perfectly captures the atmosphere and dialogue of the era, transporting us back to Regency England in evocative detail. I could hear the gossip, see the luxurious gowns at the balls and feel the weight of people’s judgement.

I will confess, it has been a long time since I read Emma and I don’t remember a lot about Henrietta Bates. But I feel like I know her intimately after reading this book. Catherine has rescued her from the sidelines and given Henri a voice that demands to be heard. Plain, uneducated and impoverished, Henrie has spent her life invisible, overlooked and mocked. But from her scathing inner monologues we learn she is a strong, feisty and intelligent feminist who boils with an inner rage and knows how to play the cards she’s been dealt. And that endless chatter that makes her the object of Emma’s ridicule? We learn that this is her armor, a way for her to survive in a world that has no place for her. She isn’t always likeable but my heart broke for all she went through and I admired her resilience and how she learned to play the cards she was dealt. And I had a real soft spot for young Henri; a little girl struggling to make sense of the world who discovers that she can have contrasting inner and outer worlds, which is where a lot of the story’s humour is found. How I wished I could leap into the book and hug that little girl.

In Austen’s books we’ve come to expect a pretty, light and breezy world, but the one Cliff has created is dark, dangerous and achingly human. There is sexism, sexual assault, poverty, death, female rage and crippling societal expectations. Henri’s rage feels so relatable and I was cheering her on in many of the darker moments as she took back some of the autonomy she had been denied. And then there is Henri’s hatred of Emma Woodhouse, the spoiled, self-centred and obnoxious titular character from the original classic. I understood why Henri loathed her and couldn’t have stood being around her myself.

Rating: ✮✮✮✮✰

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

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ABOUT THE AUTHOR:

Catherine Cliff grew up in New York City. She has a BA in Classics and English from Harvard and a doctorate in English literature from Yale, specializing in English Renaissance poetry. She lived in London and Basel for many years and is now settled in western Massachusetts. This is her first novel.

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Thanks for reading, Bibliophiles xxxx

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book reviews

BOOK REVIEW: Holy Island (DCI Ryan Mysteries, Book 1) by LJ Ross

Published December 31st, 2014 by Penguin UK
Crime, Mystery, Thriller, Romantic Suspense

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ABOUT THE BOOK:

Get ready to be gripped by the thrilling first instalment of the bestselling DCI Ryan murder mystery series, the perfect mix of crime, humour, and a touch of romance for fans of Elly Griffiths and Ann Cleeves.

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On the spectacular Northumbrian island of Lindisfarne, a killer is hiding in plain sight…

Forced to take leave from his duties as a homicide detective, Detective Chief Inspector Ryan seeks sanctuary on Holy Island.

But just a few days before Christmas, he is thrust back into the murky world of murder when a young woman is found dead amongst the ancient ruins of the nearby Priory.

When former local girl Dr Anna Taylor arrives on the island as a police consultant, old memories swim to the surface making her confront her difficult past.

She and Ryan struggle to work together to hunt a deadly killer, while pagan ritual and island politics muddy the waters of their investigation.

Can they overcome their differences before the killer strikes again?

BUY HERE

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MY REVIEW:

Lindisfarne is a quiet island where everybody knows everybody and everyone feels safe. But all that changes one winter morning when a resident out walking her dog finds Lucy Mathieston’s naked body on the altar of the Priory. There hasn’t been a murder here for two decades. So DCI Ryan has his work cut out. And as rumours of a pagan sacrifice swirl, Dr Anna Taylor is asked to come and consult on the case. She accepts but feels nervous as she hasn’t been back to Linisfarne for eight years and memories she’s tried to bury are returning to the surface. As Ryan and Anna struggle to find a way to work together, another brutal murder rocks the island and the hunt for the killer becomes even more urgent. Who amongst them is hiding the darkest of secrets? And can they find them before any more lives are taken?

I had heard about L. J. Ross and her DCI Ryan series for many years. The books were highly recommended by a number of my friends and I finally decided it was time to see what they were about for myself. Expertly written, cleverly choreographed, oozing tension and filled with compelling characters, I now get the hype and am kicking myself for waiting so long to read them. I love a layered thriller, and this one certainly fits that bill. Tense, twisty, grisly, emotional and funny, it had me hooked from the opening pages and I couldn’t stop thinking about it when I wasn’t reading. I was in a chokehold, racing towards the finale with my heart beating out of my chest. Everyone is a suspect and you could never be sure who was telling the truth. Many of my suspicions were right but it still kept me on my toes with many twists that blindsided me. And that ending! I am so glad I don’t have to wait for the next instalment and have 23 more books to read in the series.

Ross has created a motley crew of captivating characters who inhabit the island. At the heart of it all is Ryan and Anna, who are our protagonists. Determined, likeable and no-nonsense, I really liked Ryan and found him easy to root for at every step. We know from the start that he’s been through something traumatic and is plagued by nightmares, but I was not prepared for the horror of what that was. My heart broke for him and I feel like I understand him even more after learning what he’s been through. Anna is a little bit more spiky but also easy to like and root for. I was intrigued by her history and connections with the island and liked the knowledge of pagan rituals and ancient beliefs that she brought to the case. I loved their will they/won’t they romance and was screaming at them through the pages to just admit their feelings to one another.  Lindisfarne feels like a character in its own right. A darkly atmospheric and claustrophobic place where everyone knows everybody’s business. It’s a place where you would think there are no secrets, but some residents are hiding dark secrets and evil intentions that begin to surface with the discovery of Lucy’s body. I can’t wait to see what is next for Ryan, Anna and the other characters, especially after that ending.

Riveting, superb and bingeable, this is a must for all thriller lovers.

Rating: ✮✮✮✮✰

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ABOUT THE AUTHOR:

LJ Ross is an international, Sunday Times bestsellig author, whose books have sold more than 12 million copies worldwide.

Her debut, Holy Island, was released in 2015 and became an instant, international bestseller. Since then, more than thirty of her novels have gone on to take the coveted #1 spot, some even before general release and whilst only available to ‘pre-order’. The Bookseller magazine has reported on Louise having topped the ‘Most Read’ and ‘Most Sold’ fiction charts, and she has garnered an army of loyal fans who love her atmospheric and addictive storytelling.

Her eleventh novel, The Infirmary, is a prequel story to the DCI Ryan series and is available as a major Audible Originals audio-drama starring Tom Bateman, Kevin Whately, Bertie Carvel, Hermione Norris and Alun Armstrong.

The first novel in her Alexander Gregory Thrillers series, Impostor, was shortlisted in the British Book Awards 2020: Crime & Thriller Book of the Year. The audiobook of Impostor, narrated by Hugh Dancy, was also selected as a finalist in the New York Festivals Radio Awards, Best Fiction Audiobook of the Year Category. Louise was shortlisted again in 2023 for the nineteenth novel in her DCI Ryan series, Bamburgh.

In May 2021, Louise was shortlisted for the prestigious Crime Writers’ Association ‘Dagger in the Library’ award, which recognises an author’s entire body of work having been consistently enjoyed by library borrowers around the United Kingdom, and an author’s longstanding support of libraries. She was shortlisted again in 2024.

Louise was born in Northumberland. She studied undergraduate and postgraduate Law at King’s College, University of London and then abroad in Paris and Florence. She spent much of her working life in London, where she was a lawyer for a number of years until taking the decision to change career. Now, she writes full time and lives with her husband and two children in Northumberland.

To find out more about the many philanthropic ventures Louise has founded and sponsored through her publishing imprint, Dark Skies Publishing, please visit ‘Philanthropy’.

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Thanks for reading, Bibliophiles xxxx

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BLOG TOUR REVIEW: Molly is Missing by Samantha Hayes

Published October 26th, 2026 by Bookouture
Thriller, Psychological Thriller, Domestic Fiction

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ABOUT THE BOOK:

It’s every mother’s worst nightmare…

Kim arrives early at the school gates, bursting with excitement to see her daughter, Molly, after a week-long history trip. Shy and a little anxious, time away from her loving parents is a big deal for Molly – but the emoji-filled texts Kim’s been receiving all week prove her daughter has been having the time of her life. But when the bus pulls up, Molly’s seat is empty. Her teachers say she never went on the trip…

As the search for Molly begins, distraught Kim feels like the police are dragging their feet and the school is acting a little too defensive. And with each precious day that passes, the secrets binding Kim’s tight-knit community begin to unravel. Why isn’t Kim’s best friend by her side? And why is her husband being so shady?

Nothing matters to Kim but bringing Molly home safe. With nowhere to turn and no one left to trust, only Kim can find her. And she’s running out of time…

A totally unputdownable psychological thriller that will keep you up all night reading. Perfect for anyone who loves Freida McFadden, Andrea Mara and Jeneva Rose.

BUY HERE

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MY REVIEW:

16-year-old Molly has been in France on a school trip since Monday. It’s her first time abroad without her parents and her mother, Kim, has tried not to let her anxieties about it show. But she knows Molly is fine thanks to the regular updates she’s been sending by text. So, when Kim arrives at the school to collect Molly and she doesn’t get off the coach, Kim is confused. That confusion only grows when Molly’s headteacher tells her Molly didn’t go on the trip and he received an email from her on Monday morning saying Molly was poorly and couldn’t attend. Kim feels like the ground has fallen from under her feet. Where is her daughter?

Wow! This heart-pounding, twisty and bingeable thriller was one hell of a ride. Samantha Hayes never disappoints and this is one of the best I’ve read from her so far.  Skillfully written, deftly choreographed and intricately interwoven, it held me in a chokehold from the first page. As addictive as a can of pringles, once I started there was no way to stop and I devoured it in just two sittings, staying up well past my bedtime to finish it.

But while it is a first-class thriller, what also shines through in this book is the emotion as Samantha makes you feel everything alongside Kim and Molly. As a middle-aged mum I felt a strong connection with Kim and my heart broke as this ordinary mum was plunged into every mother’s worst nightmare. I felt every moment of her heartache and fear as she searched for her daughter and cheered her on as she went rogue by conducting her own searches. As a mother I don’t know if I could sit around waiting for the police either even though I know it is what you’re supposed to do.

Molly’s chapters perfectly captured her confusion, terror and determination, making me feel like I was right there with her in the dark. She doesn’t remember what happened or where she is, which ramps up the tension and puts the reader in the same position as everyone but the culprit. As Molly tried to piece it all together I was on the edge of my seat, incapable of putting the book down until I knew what happened.

There are a number of suspicious characters and we are never quite sure who we can trust. This made me question everything and there were a few people I thought might be behind Molly’s disappearance. But as I followed the clues that were dropped like breadcrumbs, I could never be completely sure and was kept guessing right up until the jaw-dropping moment when all was revealed.

A must-read for all thriller lovers.

Rating: ✮✮✮✮✰

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

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ABOUT THE AUTHOR:

Samantha Hayes grew up in Warwickshire, left school at sixteen, avoided university and took jobs ranging from private detective to barmaid to fruit picker and factory worker, and she lived in Australia and the USA before finally becoming a crime author (which was a relief, given she wrote her first work of fiction aged ten).

Sam’s books are family-based ‘domestic noir’ thrillers, with the emphasis being on ‘real life fiction’, and they’re published in many countries and languages – oh, and she’s pretty proud of getting the No 1 spot on Amazon with DATE NIGHT.

Her books focus on current issues and set out to make her readers ask, ‘What if this happened to me or my family?’ And you’ll always find a BIG twist at the end! HER HOUSEKEEPER is available for pre-order now (book twenty-something!).

GOOD HOUSEKEEPING said “We’re big fans of Samantha Hayes. Her believable psychological thrillers are completely gripping…” and THE INDEPENDENT called her writing ‘fantastically written and very tense’.

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Thanks for reading, Bibliophiles xxxxx

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Audio Books Beat the Backlist book reviews Emma's Anticipated Treasures Most Anticipated 2026

BOOK REVIEW: A Bad, Bad Place by Frances Crawford

Published February 12th, 2026 by Bantam
Historical Fiction, Mystery, Thriller, Crime Fiction, Psychological Thriller, Police Procedural

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ABOUT THE BOOK:

Don’t miss the award-winning crime debut of the year – perfect for fans of The List of Suspicious Things. A murder mystery unlike any other…

*WINNER: VAL McDERMID CRIME DEBUT AWARD*
*WINNER: McILVANNEY PRIZE FOR BEST SCOTTISH CRIME BOOK OF THE YEAR*
*WINNER: BLOODY SCOTLAND DEBUT PRIZE*

What happened to the dog walker who found the body?

Glasgow, 1979.

Twelve-year-old Janey won’t take her dog, Sid Vicious, for a walk. Not anymore. It’s Sid’s fault she found the murdered woman.

Janey claims she can’t remember what she saw at the abandoned railway, but the police think she’s hiding something. And they’re not the only ones interested.

Fear and rumour rip through the tight-knit community of Possilpark. Janey and her nana, Maggie, are dragged into the hunt for a murderer. And Maggie’s struggle to keep her beloved granddaughter safe becomes ever more desperate.

Because Janey’s memories can’t stay hidden forever.

And neither can the killer…

BUY HERE

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MY REVIEW:

Glasgow, 1979. Twelve-year-old Janey won’t take her dog, Sid Vicious for a walk anymore. Not since she found the body. Janey claims not to remember what she saw that day at the abandoned railway, but the police don’t believe her. And they are right. Janey is haunted by the brutal images she saw that day but has vowed to herself she’ll never reveal what she really saw. And as rumours sweep through their tight-knit community, Janey’s nana, Maggie, tries to keep her granddaughter safe from a killer that is still on the loose. 

This sensational debut has won multiple crime awards here in the UK this year and it is easy to see why. Insightful, funny, gut-wrenching, original and addictive, it had me on the edge of my seat from start to finish. Exquisitely written, this first-class thriller is a masterclass in pace, plotting and tension. The story has a strong sense of place and a troubled, small-town vibe. This is a place where everybody knows everybody and they like to think there are no secrets. But when Sam is murdered they are forced to wrestle with the fact that one of them is keeping the darkest of secrets. But who? There are multiple suspects and unreliable narrators which kept me guessing right up until the final page. Frances Crawford had me in a chokehold, my heart racing through the twists and turns, right up until that final reveal. And I’m still not over that ending!

The characters feel achingly human. They are messy, flawed, vulnerable and real; ordinary people who have been plunged into a nightmare. The tragedy consumes and haunts them, their horror leaping from the pages as you walk every step beside them. Told in alternating chapters by Janey and Maggie, Janey’s chapters begin with however many days it has been since the murder, which I found heartbreaking. It is evident how much of an effect this has had on her and I can’t imagine seeing something so horrific at just twelve years old. Janey is haunted by what she saw and terrified to admit what she knows but also eager to see justice done for Sam, so she quietly starts her own investigation, which felt like a very real response. Maggie is also well written. Strong and fiercely protective, I loved the relationship she had with Janey and it is obvious she only does what she thinks is best for her granddaughter. I liked that we got to know Sam as a person, too, even though she’s already dead at the start of the book.

A tense, heart-rending and unmissable debut, this is a must-read for all thriller lovers. 

Rating: ✮✮✮✮✮

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

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ABOUT THE AUTHOR:

As a passionate advocate of lifelong learning, Frances Crawford graduated in 2022, age 60, with MLitt (Distinction) in Creative Writing from Glasgow University. In 2023, she won the Bloody Scotland/Glencairn Crime Short Story Competition, and the first chapters of her debut novel A Bad, Bad Place won Highly Commended in the Moniack Mhor Emerging Writer Award 2024. 

A Bad, Bad Place was published by Transworld in February 2026, and has since won the 2026 Theakston Old Peculier McDermid Debut Award at Harrogate Festival, the 2026 Bloody Scotland Debut Prize, and the 2026 McIlvanney Award for Best Scottish Crime Novel at Bloody Scotland: the first author to win both awards in one year. 

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Thanks for reading, Bibliophiles xxxx

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SQUADPOD FEATURED BOOK: A Lady’s Guide To Vampire Hunting by Michelle Maxstoke

Published October 22nd 2026 by One More Chapter
Historical Fiction, Historical Romance, Gothic Ficiton, Romance Novel, Fantasy Fiction, Dark Fantasy, Romantic Fantasy, Vampire Literature

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ABOUT THE BOOK:

In the gaslit dark, love is never tender. It’s teeth at your throat. Blood on silk. It is the sweetest surrender – and the most exquisite damnation.

By day Lady Euphemia Butterworth is a dutiful daughter – corseted, perfumed, and groomed to marry a lecherous duke twice her age. By night, she dreams of freedom, the dangerous thrill of adventure and a life not dictated by men with money and cruel smiles. But when a vampire attack shatters her world, Effie is branded hysterical, locked away and desperate to escape and prove what really happened.

Liam Rafferty has ghosts of his own. Orphan, ex-boxer, ex-patient of the asylum, he stalks the shadows as a reluctant hunter, his body inked with sins and his soul fraying at the edges. He finds refuge in a travelling circus, but it cannot silence the devil whispering in his ear – or the fangs waiting in the dark.

When Effie’s gilded cage collides with Liam’s world, the sparks are as dangerous as the bite of the monsters they hunt…

BUY HERE

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MY REVIEW:

After coming face to face with a vampire that kills her beloved brother, Lady Ephemia Butterworth knows she has one purpose: to find and kill the creature that took Cedric away from her. But her father won’t believe what she saw, locks her in her room and has her treated for hysteria. So Ephemia makes her escape. Her path soon crosses with Liam Rafferty, a circus performer by day who stalks the streets hunting vampires by night. She asks Liam to teach her how to hunt and the sparks soon fly between them. As they search for the vampire who took Cedric, Liam and Effie find themselves falling deeper into danger.

Darkly atmospheric, mysterious, transportive and witty, this was an addictive read. A swoonable forbidden romance merged with blood-sucking vampires, this was the perfect read for spooky season. Skillfully written and cleverly choreographed, Michelle Maxstone has crafted a love story with a bite that held me in her thrall. It’s quite the rollercoaster ride; there are emotional moments one minute, then shocking twists the next and I could never predict what crazy situation would happen next. Once I started reading I couldn’t stop and I devoured the book in under twenty-four hours.

The story is set in Yorkshire in an alternate 1800s and I was immediately transported back to the dark, gaslit streets. Evocative imagery brings the story to life and I never doubted for a moment that any of it was real. I felt like I was walking besides the characters at every step in this place drenched in nightmares, where sharp-fanged creatures stalk their prey. My heart was in my throat as I read, terrified of what horrors would happen next.

The story is told by Effie and Liam in alternating chapters. Likeable and easy to root for, I loved reading both these characters. They are such different people from very different walks of life, but they share similarities too. Both of them are determined and will do anything for those they love. There’s an undeniable chemistry between them from the start and I loved their forbidden upstairs/downstairs romance.

A gorgeous gothic vampire romance, add this to your spooky season TBR now.

Rating: ✮✮✮✮✰

Thank you to One More Chapter for sending me a copy of the book in exchange for my honest review.

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ABOUT THE AUTHOR:

Michelle Maxstoke was born in Solihull but has lived in Leeds for the past 15 years. She worked for the NHS before completing a PhD in nutritional epidemiology and working as a post-doctoral researcher at the University of Leeds. She has published over 25 articles in a number of scientific journals and magazines. Michelle started writing fiction after taking a creative writing course with the London School of Journalism. In 2017 she won the Rose Simmonds prize, the British Dietetic Association’s most prestigious award for an original research publication.

She lives with her husband, two sons, and a hyperactive Labrador. As a scientist and mum, her hobbies include mulling over the complexities of the universe, treading barefoot on Lego, and chipping dried Play-Doh from fabric surfaces.

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Thanks for reading, Bibliophiles xxxxx

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BLOG TOUR REVIEW: The Nancys and the Secret of Tulip Farm by R. W. R. MacDonald

Published October 8th, 2026 by Orenda Books
Mystery, Crime Fiction, Thriller, Humorous Fiction, Cozy Mystery

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ABOUT THE BOOK:

Tippy Chan, Uncle Pike and Devon are determined not to reform their secret detective club, The Nancys, but when an explosion kills three people and the investigation turns chaotic, dangerous and deeply personal, the club is back in business, in another riotous instalment of the award-winning series.

*** Finalist for the Ngaio Marsh Best Novel Award***
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The Nancys are back…

It’s four months after Christmas, and Tippy Chan, Uncle Pike and Devon are reunited in Riverstone for the first anniversary of Tippy’s father’s death. This time, the plan is simple: no mysteries, no crimes, and definitely no secret detective clubs.

Riverstone has other ideas…

When an early-morning explosion destroys the town hall and kills three people, the town is thrown into chaos. An arrest is made and everyone in Riverstone decides the case is closed … except for Tippy and the Nancys. Once again, it’s up to the Nancys to go against the flow … and police advice.

Their search draws them towards Tulip Farm and raises more questions than answers. Is the accused bomber really guilty? Was he working alone? And when everyone else is convinced they’re right, does that make you wrong?

With rumours spreading, tempers flaring and the threat of another attack hanging over the town, the Nancys must work out who to trust, who to ignore, and how to stop a killer before they strike again…

Funny, fearless and fizzing with heart, The Nancys and the Secret of Tulip Farm is a joyful, nerve-jangling mystery about belonging, loyalty and asking awkward questions, with a dark and dangerous secret at its core and characters you will never forget…

A hilarious, and heartfelt twist on Nancy Drew – perfect for readers who love The List of Suspicious Things.

BUY HERE

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MY REVIEW:

Uncle Pike and Devon are back in town for the first anniversary of Tippy Chan’s father’s death. She’s thrilled to see them, but they are all determined that this time around they won’t be solving any crimes or reforming their secret detective club, the Nancys. But that all changes when an explosion rocks Riverstone. Three people are killed and the perpetrator is captured, but the Nancys aren’t so sure that the case is closed. So, they reform their club and start investigating…

The Nancys are back for more amateur detective exploits in this entertaining mystery. I loved everything about the first book in this series so I jumped at the chance to read its sequel. I’m a big fan of cosy crime and amateur detectives, so this series is a bit of me. This time around there is a police suspect but the Nancys aren’t sure they have got it right, so once again everyone is under suspicion as they investigate who really planted the bomb that killed three people. Mysterious, emotional, funny and uplifting, R. W. R McDonald has crafted a sequel that is even better than the brilliant first installment. Skillfully written and cleverly plotted, there were a number of suspects and it kept me guessing right up until the truth was revealed.

I adore this motley crew of fabulous characters and it was so much fun to be back with them. Once again, the story is told from Tippy Chan’s perspective, which McDonald has nailed perfectly. In this installment, Tippy really goes through it and I felt for her. Uncle Pike and Devon also go through a lot this time around, and while the deep emotion and serious topics are written with sensitivity, they are also perfectly balanced with humour and the whole book still has that refreshing, cosy crime vibe that I loved in book one.

A must-read for anyone who loves a crime caper.

Rating: ✮✮✮✮✰

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

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ABOUT THE AUTHOR:

R.W.R. McDonald (Rob) is an award-winning author, a Kiwi and Queer dad living in Melbourne with his two daughters and one HarryCat. His debut novel, The Nancys, won Best First Novel in the 2020 Ngaio Marsh Awards, as well as being a finalist in the Best Novel category. It was shortlisted for Best First Novel in the 2020 Ned Kelly Awards, and Highly Commended for an Unpublished Manuscript in the 2017 Victorian Premier’s Literary Awards. His second novel, Nancy Business, was a finalist for Best Novel in 2022 Ngaio Marsh Awards.

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book reviews Emma's Anticipated Treasures

BOOK REVIEW: Royal Witch by Philippa Gregory

Published October 20th, 2026 by Harper Fiction
Historical Fiction, Biographical Fiction, Political Fiction

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ABOUT THE BOOK:

Ambition. Sorcery. Treason. How far will one woman dare to go?

1420. Eleanor Cobham arrives at the court of Henry V. Pretty but not highborn, she hopes for little more than to marry well.

England is in a golden age – but beneath the glittering surface, ancient rivalries fester and chaos lurks in the shadows.

And chaos, Eleanor discovers, creates opportunities. Appointed lady-in-waiting to a Countess who commands her own army, she begins to see what a woman can truly become.

She dares to dream of real power. Perhaps even the crown itself. But for that, she must turn to darker arts. And the higher she climbs, the darker the path becomes…

Philippa Gregory tells a breathtaking story of sorcery, ambition and one woman’s extraordinary rise.

BUY HERE

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MY REVIEW:

Darkly atmospheric, scandalous and complex, Royal Witch is a detailed portrait of the life of an extraordinary woman who has been forgotten by history.

Eleanor Cobham arrives at the court of Henry V hoping to marry well. But as she is not highborn she faces an uphill battle to make it happen and must create her own opportunities. She dreams of power, not love. Even daring to wonder if she could one day wear the crown. There is nothing she won’t do to achieve her dreams, but the higher she rises, the darker her path to get there becomes.

Philippa Gregory has been one of my favourite historical fiction authors for many years. Nobody writes royal historical fiction like she does. And in this bewitching story of ambition, love, jealousy, witchcraft and revenge, she takes that expertise and merges it with a hypnotic tale of sorcery to create a story that is truly unforgettable. Masterfully written and rich in historical detail, Gregory’s meticulous research is evident on every page as she makes life at the royal court leap from the page. I was in her thrall and devoured the book in just two sittings.

Eleanor is not your average 15th century woman. Fierce, bold, ambitious and determined, she is taking her destiny into her own hands. She could also be vengeful  – especially in matters of the heart- and wasn’t  afraid to step over anyone to reach her goals. I’ll be honest, I didn’t like her. But I absolutely loved reading her and I did understand some of her actions. She lived in a dog eat dog world where you had to be ruthless to get ahead. And Eleanor was intent on success. Although Eleanor’s story is at the heart of this book, it also explores the life of three other remarkable women who also go to extraordinary lengths to achieve their ambitions: Jacqueline of Hainault, Mistress Jourdemayne and Queen Catherine. I loved reading about these women. They lived such fascinating lives and it was interesting to see how Eleanor interacted with them and the ways in which she would use them to reach her goal.

A spellbinding and complex tale that is perfect for reading at this time of year.

Rating: ✮✮✮✮✰

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

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ABOUT THE AUTHOR:

Philippa Gregory is one of the world’s foremost historical novelists. Author of bestselling novels such as The Other Boleyn Girl (2001) and The White Queen (2009), recently she has been working on The Fairmile Series, a trilogy which includes Tidelands (2019), Dark Tides (2020), and the upcoming Dawnlands (2022). Her work has been adapted for TV and cinema. She is a recognised authority on women’s history.

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SQUADPOD FEATURED BOOK: Fabulous and Furious by Harper Ford

Published September 24th, 2026 by Avon Books
Contemporary Fiction, Humorous Fiction

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ABOUT THE BOOK:

Everyone around 55-year-old Nell is absolutely infuriating. Her new boss is a sexist pr*ck, her clients can be selfish tw*ts, and the general public? They can p*ss right off!

But when Nell loses it at a children’s party entertainer (who definitely deserved it) her family send her to a rage room. Nell finds herself stood there with a baseball bat, being instructed to break as many things as possible by an annoyingly handsome man called Glen…

Still, as fun as it is to smash stuff, Nell finds it doesn’t quite hit the spot. Inspired, she starts a new space for herself and the women at work: Rent-A-Rant, a place just for them, to speak their minds, no holds-barred, and to finally be heard. Oh, and to eat loads of biscuits.

All these women have a lot to be mad about. But could it be that, instead of getting rid of their fury, they could channel it for good? With Rent-A-Rant’s help, Nell isn’t going to let everything fall apart ― she’s going to smash it up.

This hilarious and relatable coming-of-middle-rage novel from Harper Ford fights back at bullies and bastards one menopausal rant at a time ― the perfect read for fans of Alexandra Potter, Jane Fallon, and Riot Women.

BUY HERE

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MY REVIEW:

55-year-old Nell is angry all the time. She finds everyone around her infuriating and loses her temper over the smallest thing. But it is after Nell loses it at a party entertainer that her family step in and gift her some sessions at a local rage room. But as Nell stands there with her baseball bat, she realises that what she really needs is a good old rant. So, Rent-A-Rant is born; a place where Nell and other like-minded women can meet for a rant about anything they like. Finally, instead of suppressing their rage, they are expressing it and being heard. But can they take that rage and harness it for good?

Hilarious, maddening, relatable and uplifting, this book made me feel seen. A story about female rage, the patriarchy, aging and bullying, Nell and her friends fight back against the bastards trying to grind them down. Harper Ford is an author I’ve had on my TBR for a while so I was glad of the opportunity to finally pick up one of her books. My only regret is waiting so long. Harper is a comedy genius who perfectly merges witty moments and snarky banter with important topics, which Harper handles with honesty and compassion. I was especially grateful to see her accurate and relatable portrayal of a character with endometriosis and adenomyosis. It is great to see a light shone on these illnesses and to have a character with chronic illness who actually feels recognisable rather than a misrepresentation. 

The book is filled with a cast of charismatic characters and  I loved every moment I spent with them. Like Nell, I’m middle-aged, menopausal, have a grandchild and freed myself from a controlling ex-husband, so I connected with her immediately. I also felt a strong kinship with Idil, Nell’s work colleague who is chronically ill. I adored Nell’s little grandson, Freddie, and enjoyed her romance with Glen, which brought a much-needed spark back into her life.

Feel-good fiction at its finest, this book is an absolute riot and every woman should read it.

Rating: ✮✮✮✮✰

Thanks you Avon for sending me a copy of this book in exchange for my honest review.

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ABOUT THE AUTHOR:

Harper Ford is an author, much of the time. She started out as a writer of historical novels, then found out she was funny during lockdown so decided to write contemporary romantic comedies too. Harper Ford is the romcom pen-name for author Becca Mascull.

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BLOG TOUR REVIEW: The Deadly Inheritance of Everest MacDonald by A. J. West

Published October 8th, 2026 by Orenda Books
Historical Fiction, Historical Mystery, Mystery, Crime Fiction

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ABOUT THE BOOK:

Set in wartime London and based on a true story, Everest Macdonald investigates the murder of her uncle, the actor William Terriss. A riveting, dark historical mystery from Sunday Times bestselling author A.J. West.
‘Meet Everest Macdonald, your new favourite historical sleuth … a work of Bayeux proportions, beautifully imagined with perfect pacing and twists galore!’ Janice Hallett
‘A dark confection of phantoms, hidden motives, the angst of the Victorian theatre … and murder’ Vaseem Khan
‘You are in for one hell of a ride when you meet Everest Macdonald! Essie Fox
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Some inherit a fortune.
She inherited murder…
1917. As the Great War rages on the continent, Everest Macdonald is summoned to her father’s deathbed and entrusted with a final urgent request: she must uncover the truth behind the murder of her uncle, the celebrated Victorian actor William Terriss, a crime that has haunted her family for twenty years.
In 1897, Terriss was stabbed to death outside London’s Adelphi Theatre, a killing that shocked Victorian society. The murderer was swiftly arrested and confined to Broadmoor, the case declared closed. Yet, years later, a sealed package of evidence is passed to Everest by her dying father, which casts doubt on the official verdict and the haste with which it was reached.
Drawn back to wartime London, with her husband and children left behind, Everest begins her investigation, following a trail that leads her into the world of late-Victorian theatre, where fame and fortune mask obsession, envy and cruelty. With time running out and her father’s strength failing, Everest must uncover what really happened on the night Terriss died, and shed light on the unsettling legacy he left behind.
Based on an extraordinary true story, The Deadly Inheritance of Everest Macdonald is a dark, atmospheric historical mystery and a compelling adventure, as an unlikely investigator risks everything to pursue one of the most notorious killings of the Victorian stage.

buy here

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MY REVIEW:

On December 16th 1917, actor William Terriss is murdered outside London’s the Adelphi Theatre. His shocking murder is quickly solved and the perpetrator, Richard Arthur Prince, is swiftly arrested and locked away in Broadmoor. Twenty years later, Everest Macdonald, is called to her father’s deathbed and receives his final request: to find the truth about her uncle’s murder. Because as Everest now learns, her father has never believed the official version of the crime and has compiled a dossier of evidence she must now follow to lead her to the truth. But can she solve a twenty-year-old murder before her father’s time runs out?

Atmospheric, immersive, witty, cryptic and compelling, The Deadly Inheritance of Everest Macdonald is a gorgeous slice of Victoriana. Masterfully written, cleverly choreographed and meticulously researched, A. J. West has crafted a madcap and eerie mystery inspired by the real-life murder of William Terriss. Set against a backdrop of WWI and the Indian Rebellion of 1857, the story moves between timelines and narrators as it tells the story through traditional narrative, flashbacks, memoirs and diary entries. A story of family, ghosts, secrets and murder, West had me in his thrall from start to finish. I listened to the audiobook and West’s evocative imagery merged perfectly with the fantastic narration of Lucy Penrose to make the characters and story leap from the pages. I felt like I lived every moment alongside the characters, including the twists and turns, and my heart was racing as we approached the dramatic conclusion.

Everest Macdonald is my new favourite amateur sleuth. As a middle-aged, menopausal woman I felt a strong affinity with Everest from the start. And the more I got to know this intrepid, strong and inquisitive heroine, the more I loved her. Once again West has created an unforgettable character who I will hold dear in my heart long after reading. But Everest isn’t the only star of this show and there are many richly drawn and compelling characters who I loved reading. I had a real soft spot for Clare in particular and, even though he’s mad as a hatter, Prince is so much fun to read. I liked that we were never sure if he – or the others – were reliable narrators and that there were so many different suspects for Willie’s murder. I had my suspicions but my jaw hit the floor when all was revealed. 

A must-read for anyone who enjoys an entertaining historical murder mystery.

Rating: ✮✮✮✮.5

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

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ABOUT THE AUTHOR:

A.J. West’s bestselling debut novel The Spirit Engineer won the Historical Writers’ Association Debut Crown Award, gaining international praise for its telling of a long-forgotten true story. His second novel, The Betrayal of Thomas True, debuted at number two on the Sunday Times bestseller list, and won the CWA Historical Dagger. A.J. was also shortlisted for the Booksellers Association Author of the Year.

An award-winning BBC newsreader and reporter, he has written for national newspapers and regularly appears on network television discussing his writing and the historical context of contemporary events. A passionate historical researcher, he writes at The London Library and museum archives around the world.

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Thanks for reading, Bibliophiles xxxx