Tag: suspense

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Blog Tours book reviews Emma's Anticipated Treasures Most Anticipated 2023

BLOG TOUR: The Murmurs (The Annie Jackson Mysteries Volume 1) by Michael J. Malone

Published September 14th, 2023 by Orenda Books
Mystery, Thriller, Suspense, Gothic Fiction, Psychological Fiction, Horror Fiction, Religious Ficiton, Book Series

Welcome to my stop on the blog tour for this beguiling gothic thriller. Thank you to Anne at Random Things for the invitation to take part and to Orenda for the proof copy of the book.

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SYNOPSIS:

A young woman starts experiencing terrifying premonitions of people dying, as it becomes clear that a family curse known only as The Murmurs has begun, and a long-forgotten crime is about to be unearthed…
 
On the first morning of her new job at Heartfield House, a care home for the elderly, Annie Jackson wakens from a terrifying dream. And when she arrives at the home, she knows that the first old man she meets is going to die.
 
How she knows this is a terrifying mystery, but it is the start of horrifying premonitions … a rekindling of the curse that has trickled through generations of women in her family – a wicked gift known only as ‘the murmurs’…
 
With its reappearance comes an old, forgotten fear that is about to grip Annie Jackson.
 
And this time, it will never let go…
 
A compulsive gothic thriller and a spellbinding supernatural mystery about secrets and small communities, about faith, courage and self-preservation, The Murmurs is a startling and compulsive read from one of Scotland’s finest authors.

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MY REVIEW:

“Who are they? 
They are every woman, burned, every man flayed and skinned, they’re every trauma visited upon every human—they’re pain they’re torture, they are the scream echoing in the distant dark, the whispered taunt in your ear.
They’re the baited breath, the hammering pulse, the cold beaded sweat, dry mouth, and the bunched yet frozen muscle ignoring the command to run, run, RUN.
They are vengeance and they will never stop.”

A family curse, long-forgotten crimes, repressed memories, and decades-old secrets all come together in this beguiling gothic thriller that is perfect for spooky season. 

Annie Jackson is a young woman whose life has been marred by tragedy. She survived the accident that killed her mother but it took her memories, leaving her with only a nightmare that returns just as she’s about to start a new job at a care home. And on her first day it gets worse as a disturbing vision and murmuring voices tell her one of the residents is about to die. From that day on she is plagued by foreshadowings of the fates of those on the margins of life and death. The eponymous murmurs come unwelcome and unbidden, leaving her frightened, bewildered and scared to look people in the eye. Annie soon discovers the murmurs are part of a curse that has cascaded through the generations of women in her family. Desperate to know more and understand what is happening to her, she and her twin brother, Lewis, begin to explore their family history. But what they discover is much darker than they ever imagined and they find themselves embroiled in old mysteries that are far more dangerous than they realise…

He’s done it again! Michael J. Malone is a masterful gothic storyteller and he had me spellbound as I read. Evocatively told, it oozes a sinister atmosphere as he weaves elements of folklore and the supernatural into the narrative, blurring the lines between what is real and what is in our imagination. Ghostly fingers of the past tighten their grip on Annie and rekindle ashes of memory that slowly reveal horrifying secrets that have been buried for decades. It is chilling, twisty, and there’s a creeping sense of dread that permeates the pages. There are elements of the unknown, the inexplicable, and the unexpected alongside complex family dynamics, dark secrets, and lots of emotion. The story is steadily paced and slowed down a little in the middle before picking up pace again during the last third of the book. This is where I couldn’t put it down, pushing aside my sleepiness in the early hours and flying through the pages as the tension escalated at breakneck speed and we hurtled towards the heart-pounding and shocking finale. 

Malone tells the story in multiple vividly drawn timelines by multiple compelling narrators. But it is Annie who is at the heart of this book. She’s is a bit of a lost soul and we can feel her confusion, fear, and isolation as she tries to figure out what on earth is happening to her. I liked her relationship with her twin brother, Lewis, which felt authentic and grounding in a story that generally feels quite bizarre. I also really enjoyed reading the historical family members and loved the addition of Moira McLean’s memoir. 

Haunting, ominous, darkly atmospheric, and captivating, this is the best I’ve read yet from this author. Add it to your TBR now. 

Rating: ✮✮✮✮.5

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MEET THE AUTHOR:

Michael Malone is a prize-winning poet and author who was born and brought up in the heart of Burns’ country. He has published over 200 poems in literary magazines throughout the UK, including New Writing Scotland, Poetry Scotland and Markings. Blood Tears, his bestselling debut novel won the Pitlochry Prize from the Scottish Association of Writers. Other published work includes: Carnegie’s Call; A Taste for Malice; The Guillotine Choice; Beyond the Rage; The Bad Samaritan; and Dog Fight. His psychological thriller, A Suitable Lie, was a number-one bestseller, and the critically acclaimed House of Spines and After He Died soon followed suit. Since then, he’s written two further thought-provoking, exquisitely written psychological thrillers In the Absence of Miracles and A Song of Isolation, cementing his position as a key proponent of Tartan Noir and an undeniable talent. A former Regional Sales Manager (Faber & Faber) he has also worked as an IFA and a bookseller. Michael lives in Ayr.

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BUY THE BOOK:

Orenda Books | Waterstones* | Amazon* | Bookshop.org*

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Thanks for reading Bibliophiles xxxx

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

*These purchase links are affiliate links

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Blog Tours book reviews Emma's Anticipated Treasures

BLOG TOUR: Her Hidden Shadow by Carla Kovach (Detective Gina Harte Book 14)

Published September 20th, 2023 by Bookouture
Thriller, Mystery, Suspense, Psychological Thriller, Noir Fiction, Crime Fiction, Police Procedural, Crime Series

Today is my stop on the blog tour for this first-class thriller. Thank you to Bookouture for the invitation to take part and the eBook ARC.

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SYNOPISIS:

Her perfect night out just became her worst nightmare…

Lauren returns home from celebrating her engagement with friends and stumbles as she gets out of the taxi. So what if her best friend Sienna didn’t show up? Lauren had a good night anyway. As she walks towards the small house she shares with her fiancé, Robbie, she’s surprised to see every window in total darkness. And when she calls his name, the house remains silent. Where is Robbie?

Kicking off her red heels, Lauren heads towards her bedroom, feeling more nervous with every step. And when she opens the door, she immediately knows something is very wrong. The sickly metallic smell sobers her up instantly. And there is someone in her bed…

Moving closer, her heart races in her chest. Instead of her fiancé, in the bed lies the lifeless body of a young woman, and although long dark hair covers her face, Lauren can already see who it is… her best friend, Sienna.

As Lauren’s scream breaks the silence, someone stands outside the bedroom, tracking her every move. Did Lauren’s perfect little home just become the most dangerous place she could be?

Perfect for fans of Angela Marsons, Cara Hunter and Clare Mackintosh, Her Hidden Shadow will have you hooked from the very first page.

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MY REVIEW:

Lauren stumbles out of the taxi after a great night out with friends celebrating her engagement. The only thing missing was her best friend, Sienna, but she had fun anyway. Life is great and she couldn’t be happier to finally be engaged to Robbie. As she enters her small house all is dark and quiet, so she undresses and crawls into bed next to her fiance. But something isn’t right. He feels cold. And why can she feel something wet? She turns on the light to see the body of her best friend covered in blood. Why is Sienna in her bed? And what has happened to Robbie? Lauren’s scream pierces the air and as she picks up her phone to call the police she hears a thud from another room. The killer is still in the house…

Her Hidden Shadow is another first-class thriller from Carla Kovach. It had everything I’ve come to expect from one of her books and she pulled me in with her compelling characters, intriguing plots, and heart-stopping suspense. I like how she always tackles a deeper topic in her books, this time exploring the effects of trauma with honesty, sensitivity and compassion. Her stories are always hard to predict and I was on tenterhooks as she built up to the big reveal. 

This is the fourteenth book in the Detective Gina Harte series and at this point Gina and her team feel like old friends. So despite the dark and difficult topics these books always feel like comfort reads to me. I’m emotionally attached to these characters, something Kovach uses to her advantage by adding in storylines featuring Gina and her team that threaten everything you think you know. It heightens the tension and makes it impossible to put the book down. And boy did she put me through it with this book, though I’ll not say more as I don’t want to ruin the surprise. 

Action-packed, tense, addictive, and full of twists and turns, Carla Kovach has knocked it out of the park once again. I can’t wait for book fifteen!

Rating: ✮✮✮✮✰

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MEET THE AUTHOR:

Carla Kovach is a USA Today bestselling author from the UK and is published by Bookouture, Sphere and Boekerij. Her DI Gina Harte series has been translated into Dutch.

As well as novels, she has also written stage and screenplays.

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BUY THE BOOK:

Waterstones* | Amazon*

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Thanks for reading Bibliophiles xxxx

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

*These purchase links are affiliate links

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book reviews Emma's Anticipated Treasures

BOOK REVIEW: Over My Dead Body by Maz Evans

Published August 3rd, 2023 by Headline
Thriller, Mystery, Suspense, Crime Fiction, Police Procedural, Literary Fiction

Thank you Headline for my proof copy of this book.

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SYNOPSIS:

‘Laugh-out-loud hilarious, moving and life affirming. How can one book be so many things? I couldn’t put this fabulous, first class, five star read down.’ JANICE HALLETT
‘Thoroughly wicked, compulsively page-turning, and funny as hell.’ S J BENNETT
‘Warm, wacky and witty. I loved it!’ SALLY PAGE

Hello? Can you hear me? Probably not. I’m Dr Miriam Price . . . and I’m dead.
The local police, who couldn’t investigate their own nostrils, think I drank myself into an early grave. The nerve! I was murdered. I was just too plastered to know whodunnit, that’s all.

Unless I prove to my inquest this week that my death was no ‘misadventure’, I’m condemned to 50 years in Limbo. I have to find my killer – but I can’t communicate with any living human. Well, there’s one, but she barely qualifies . . . Winnie – my neighbour and nemesis. It seems the dying can interact with the dead, which is helpful news for me, if not stellar for Winnie. Oh well. She’ll live. Maybe.

Suspects? How long have you got? My saintly husband, who’d reached his limit? My best friend, who was anything but? My secret lover, or his wife? My disgruntled colleague? The mother who wrongly holds me responsible for her child’s death? Professor Plum? Your guess is as good as mine.

So Winnie – slap on your deerstalker and strap on your granny pants. Let’s catch a killer! Assuming we don’t kill each other first . . .

‘Sometimes a book comes along that reminds you why you fell in love with reading. Imaginative, witty and original…an absolute joy!’ WOMAN & HOME
‘Clever, wise and properly funny. An absolute triumph.’ LUCY MANGAN
‘Hilarious…a fab whodunnit with brilliant characters. A gleeful read!’ TINA BAKER

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MY REVIEW:

Dr. Miriam Price is dead. Murdered, to be precise. But her killer staged the scene so her death looks set to be ruled an overdose, leaving her just a few days to expose her killer so she isn’t left in Limbo for the next fifty years. Unfortunately, Miriam was too wasted to remember her killer’s identity, so she’s forced to beg for help from her arch-enemy and neighbour, Winnie. Can they put their rivalry aside and find her killer in time?

Over My Dead Body is the funniest book I’ve read in a long time. Laugh-out-loud funny, sassy, and unputdownable, reading this was like a big, warm hug. I picked it up for a rare mood read after it was highly recommended to me and it was exactly what I didn’t know I needed. It’s one of those books that you know you’re going to love from the first page and I devoured it, reading most of it in one sitting into the early hours. I’m thankful my husband is such a deep sleeper as there were many times I was worried my laughter would wake him. 

Miriam is the anti-hero you’re going to love. Spunky, sarcastic, and scathing, she’s a trainwreck who would be a nightmare to know in real life, but was so much fun to read. I loved how she spoke directly to the reader throughout the book, drawing me in and making me feel like part of the story. Her curmudgeonly nemesis, Winnie, is feisty, caustic and outrageous. And she was a joy to read. I loved the tales of their long-standing feud, their witty banter, and how they found a way around the loathing they had for one another to try and find Miriam’s killer. Winnie stole many scenes and wouldn’t have been out of place in Richard Osman’s Thursday Murder Club. She’s the kind of old lady I’d love to be one day – if only I could have her energy. 

Maz Evans is a master storyteller. This is a story that could have easily descended into the ridiculous but instead Evans has crafted a story that is comedy gold and full of heart. She makes you believe the most outlandish parts and had me rooting  for the characters every step of the way. She pulled me in from the first page and I was on tenterhooks as I tried to solve the clues and predict the many twists and turns along the way. 

Original, uplifting, and freaking hilarious, this  Over My Dead Body is one of my favourite books this year. Everyone needs to read this book ASAP.

Rating: ✮✮✮✮✮

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MEET THE AUTHOR:

Still unsure how it happened, Maz Evans is apparently the author of the bestselling WHO LET THE GODS OUT?, VI SPY and SCARLETT FIFE series, which have collectively sold over half a million copies to 22 countries worldwide. They have received over 30 award nominations, including the Carnegie Medal, Branford Boase, Books Are My Bag, Waterstone’s Children’s Book of the Year, Indie Children’s Book of the Year and CrimeFest Best Children’s Book.

She narrates the audiobooks for the series and her acclaimed live events have featured at Hay, Imagine, Edinburgh, Bath, Cheltenham, Bestival, Wilderness, CarFest and countless literary festivals and primary schools around the UK.

As an author, she has won the hearts of thousands of children. As a nuclear physicist, she has frankly been completely rubbish.

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BUY THE BOOK:

Waterstones* | Bookshop.org* | Amazon*

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Thanks for reading Bibliophiles xxxx

*These links are affiliate links

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book reviews Emma's Anticipated Treasures Most Anticipated 2023 Squadpod Squadpod Book Club Squadpod Recommends Squadpod Reviews

SQUADPOD BOOK CLUB: The Good Daughter by Laure van Rensburg

Published August 3rd, 2023 by Michael Joseph
Suspense, Psychological Thriller, Thriller

Today I’m sharing my review for this tense and mesmerising thriller, which was our Squadpod Book Club Pick for August. Thank you to Michael Joseph for the gifted copy of the book.

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SYNOPSIS:

DISCOVER THE TRUTH ABOUT THE GOOD DAUGHTER IN THIS UNPUTDOWNABLE THRILLER . . .

‘A stark, stunning and deeply affecting thriller. The Good Daughter takes a tender, chilling look at family and fear, the illusion of safety and the power of inner-resolve. I loved it’
CHRIS WHITAKER

‘A powerful Southern Gothic thriller about the dangers of blind faith, the strength of women, and the deceptive nature of memory’ ANNA BAILEY

‘Laure Van Rensurg has established herself as a master of the literary thriller. An eerie, chilling, gorgeously written novel that is unafraid to challenge and question its subject matter’ LAURIE ELIZABETH FLYNN

Abigail is a proud member of the New America Baptist Church. Living miles away from the nearest town in South Carolina, she is safe from the depraved modern world.

She is a good daughter. A valued member of the community.

So when she is the sole survivor of a fire that burns her family’s home to the ground, it seems like a tragic accident.

Until a surprising discovery is made: before the fire, Abigail let a stranger in.

Who was the stranger? What started the fire? And was the outside world always the threat – or did danger lurk within the community’s walls?

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MY REVIEW:

The good daughter respects her father’s command.
The good daughter dresses modestly.
The good daughter must do as she’s told.
But sometimes daughters must be bad to survive. 

With a tagline like that, I had to read this book, and I was delighted when it was picked as the Squadpod Book Club book for August. We’d read Laure van Rensburg’s debut, Nobody But Us for our book club last year and I was a big fan, so I couldn’t wait to read this one. 

Newhaven, South Carolina. Home to the controversial New America Baptist Church and a refuge from the immoral modern world for its members. Abigail is proud to be one of them. The 17-year-old is committed to being a good daughter and spreading the church’s teachings to lost souls. One night a fire ravages her family home and Abigail is the sole survivor. It seems like a tragic accident, but as Abigail’s memories of that night and the weeks leading up to it fail to return, members of the congregation become increasingly suspicious. Did an outsider break in and start the fire? Or was this good daughter involved in her parent’s death?

“They all keep staring at me, waiting for me to talk, but I ain’t got no words for them. No answers to their questions. The fire’s left me with nothing but charred memories, no shapes. It burned all my feelings and left me numb with questions of my own.”

Laure van Rensburg has lived up to the hype of her debut with The Good Daughter. There’s no ‘sophomore syndrome’ in sight as she once again delivers a darkly atmospheric, suspenseful and unputdownable thriller that I quickly devoured. A story of dark secrets, fractured people, indoctrination and trauma, it captures the many shades of evil that can be hidden behind a guise of love. Well-written, shrewdly choreographed, and told with empathy and sensitivity, the intricately woven plot contains a complex maze of twists and turns that keeps you guessing. I was in van Rensburg’s thrall, on the edge of my seat as she slowly untangled the knots to reveal the shocking truth, leading to a jaw-dropping finale I’m still not over. 

Seamlessly moving between dual timelines, we follow the aftermath of the fire as Abigail desperately tries to remember what happened that night and in the weeks leading up to her parents’ death, but she is haunted by nightmares and distorted fragments of memory slowly return to her, ramping up the tension with each new revelation. Also included are audio files and other media that hint at something dark and sinister yet to come while also helping us slowly piece the story together. Van Rensburg’s evocative storytelling and richly drawn characters offer us a glimpse of life inside the cult that feels authentic. There are clear gender roles taken from their warped view of the bible and that we see in the coercive control, dominance and abusiveness of the men alongside the subjugation and compliance of the women. Abigail has been raised in this since she was a young child and sees nothing wrong with the rules she follows. She idolises her father, who, quite frankly, is an abusive asshole. I wanted to reach into the book and rescue her from the life she’s been brainwashed into accepting. But thankfully there was hope on the horizon. Summer comes into Abigail’s life when she agrees to secretly be interviewed for her podcast and the young woman becomes a catalyst for change as she opens her eyes to some of the lies she’s been told, creating an inner conflict and rage that leapt from the page. It is powerful stuff that really makes you feel for Abigail as her world is turned upside down and makes you wonder if she could have been involved in the fire after all…

“My head is full of screams, deafening echoes hitting the walls of a cave; they mingle with roars from the fire, but there’s something else underneath them, scratching to get out. 
But I can never see past that shattered mirror, the pieces only allowing me to catch a glimpse, a detail, never enough for a full picture, for anything to make much sense. 
Always a red fire. So much red. A red that burns.”

There’s a sinister cloud of mistrust that lingers over these pages, and never more so than when surrounding most of the cult’s members. Again, there is a clear divide between genders with the women seeming more mysterious and meek, while the men are controlling and violent. Abigail’s father is a real piece of work who made me so angry that I wanted to reach into the book and book and give him a taste of the abuse he dolled out. I was furious with her mother for not only standing idly by, but encouraging her daughter to accept the abuse as something she deserves. While it was obvious she had secrets that made her feel she owed him something, nothing excuses allowing your child to be abused and my heart broke for Abigail being so let down by both parents.

A first-rate thriller with Handmaid’s Tale vibes, The Good Daughter is a powerful, mesmerising and addictive read that would make a perfect series. READ IT NOW!

Rating: ✮✮✮✮✮

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MEET THE AUTHOR:

Laure Van Rensburg is a French writer living in the UK and an Ink Academy alumna. Her stories have appeared in online magazines and anthologies such as Litro Magazine, Storgy Magazine, The Real Jazz Baby (2020 Best Anthology, Saboteur Awards 2020), and FIVE:2:ONE. She has also placed in competitions including 2018 & 2019 Bath Short Story Award.

Her debut novel, Nobody But Us, follows Ellie and Steven who take their first trip away together, but what starts as an idyllic weekend soon takes a darker turn, as it quickly becomes apparent that each of them harbour secrets – and that one of those secrets is deadly.

Nobody But Us (originally titled The Downfall) was shortlisted for the 2019 First Novel Prize, 2019 Novel London Competition and 2019 Flash 500 Novel Opening. It will be published by Michael Joseph in April 2022 and has sold in fourteen territories, including Germany, Italy, Norway and the United States.

Laure’s latest novel. The Good Daughter, was longlisted in 2019 Exeter Novel Prize and more recently shortlisted in the 2020 Lucy Cavendish Fiction Prize. It publishes in August 2023.

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BUY THE BOOK:

Waterstones* | Amazon* | Bookshop.org*

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Thanks for reading Bibliophiles xxx

*All purchase links are affiliate links

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book reviews Emma's Anticipated Treasures

BOOK REVIEW: Their Cold Hearts (Detective Gina Harte 13) by Carla Kovach

Published April 14th, 2023 by Bookouture
Thriller, Mystery, Suspemse, Crime Fiction, Police Procedural, Psychological Thriller, Noir Ficiton, Crime Series

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SYNOPSIS:

She shuts the door behind her, relieved to be in the safety of her own home. But tonight her house is the most dangerous place she could be. Someone has been waiting for her, and they know she’s home alone…

Sasha loves her job finding accommodation for homeless people, and she’s proud of the small but cosy apartment she rents on the good side of town. She’s worked hard to leave her dark past behind her and make amends for the accident that still haunts her memories. She knows she was innocent, though she’s still careful about who and what she tells of her old life. But not all secrets stay hidden forever…

When her phone rings loudly in the middle of the night, Sasha fears what she’ll hear when she picks up – a deathly silence. It’s happened every night for weeks. Is it a childish prank, or a chilling warning that someone has uncovered her secret?

But the news of a body found at a local shelter means her worst nightmare has come true. It can’t be a coincidence that evidence related to the victim has been found at the same location where the most devastating moment of Sasha’s life took place.

Days later, a second body is found and Sasha’s heart pounds wildly as she takes in the victim’s unforgettable green eyes. She hasn’t seen her in a long time, but she’d know her old friend anywhere. She was the only other person who knew Sasha’s secret, so how can Sasha prove her innocence now?

Sasha doesn’t know who’s coming for her, but she’s certain of one thing: she’s next on the list…

Fans of Angela Marsons, Cara Hunter and Clare Mackintosh will love Their Cold Hearts – a totally thrilling and addictive crime thriller that will have you up all night!

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MY REVIEW:

A homeless shelter should be a place of sanctuary for those in need. But one such place becomes a nightmare when one of the residents of a local shelter is found brutally murdered with what seems to be a cryptic coded message from the killer. A number of suspects soon emerge, but when a second body is found – this time a woman in her home – the mystery deepens. What is her connection to the first victim? What do the killer’s clues mean? And who is next on the killer’s list?

Sinister and suspenseful, Their Cold Hearts had me on the edge of my seat from start to finish. Complex, layered, and twisty, Carla Kovach has once again written an intricately woven thriller that took me on an emotional rollercoaster. It’s fast-paced, compelling and twisty with lots of red herrings. I thought I had the killer’s identity figured out, but Kovach blindsided me with the shocking big reveal. 

This is the thirteenth book in the Gina Harte series, and it’s no secret that I’m a big fan. At this point Gina and her team feel like old friends and I’ve got a special place in my heart for Gina in particular. In this book, Gina is going through a lot in her personal life partly because of her dedication to her job, and it was a very emotional read in places. Then there’s that ending, which broke my heart into pieces. But I love the relationship that the team shares and how they are a family, something that Gina needs more than ever. But she’s still the feisty, determined woman who will do everything she can to bring a criminal to justice. And the person she’s facing this time made my blood run cold. We only get a few glimpses into their psyche, but they made a chilling impression. 

Dark, tense and forbidding, Their Cold Hearts is a riveting thriller that I didn’t want to put down. I’m so glad to have the next book in the series waiting for me so I can find out what’s next for Gina. 

Rating: ✮✮✮✮✰

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MEET THE AUTHOR:

Carla Kovach is a USA Today bestselling author from the UK and is published by Bookouture, Sphere and Boekerij. Her DI Gina Harte series has been translated into Dutch.

As well as novels, she has also written stage and screenplays.

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BUY THE BOOK:

Watestones* | Amazon*

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Thanks for reading Bibliophiles xxx

*these links are affiliate links

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Blog Tours book reviews Emma's Anticipated Treasures

BLOG TOUR: Someone Like Her by Awais Khan

Published August 17th, 2023 by Orenda Books
Suspense, Saga, Psychological Fiction, Coming-of-Age Story, Religious Fiction

Today is my stop on the blog tour for this powerful, heartwrenching and inspirational novel. Thank you to Anne at Random Things Tours for the invitation to take part, and to Karen for the gifted ARC.

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SYNOPSIS:

A young Pakistani woman is the victim of an unthinkable act of vengeance, when she defies convention for love, facing seemingly insurmountable challenges and danger as she attempts to rebuild her life.
 
‘Stunning, shocking, compulsive reading … A breathtaking masterpiece’ Hazel Prior
 
‘Pacy, gripping and fast-moving … I literally could not put it down!’ Edel Coffey
 
‘Rarely has a writer affected me so deeply. Someone Like Her is an epic story of love, power and extraordinary courage’ A.J. West
 
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Multan, Pakistan. A conservative city where an unmarried woman over the age of twenty-five is considered a curse by her family.
 
Ayesha is twenty-seven. Independent and happily single, she has evaded an arranged marriage because of her family’s reduced circumstances. When she catches the eye of powerful, wealthy Raza, it seems like the answer to her parents’ prayers. But Ayesha is in love with someone else, and when she refuses to give up on him, Raza resorts to unthinkable revenge…
 
Ayesha travels to London to rebuild her life and there she meets Kamil, an emotionally damaged man who has demons of his own. They embark on a friendship that could mean salvation for both of them, but danger stalks Ayesha in London, too. With her life thrown into turmoil, she is forced to make a decision that could change her and everyone she loves forever.
 
Exquisitely written, populated by unforgettable characters and rich with poignant, powerful themes, Someone Like Her is a story of love and family, of corruption and calamity, of courage and hope … and one woman’s determination to thwart convention and find peace, at whatever cost…

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MY REVIEW:

“Nowhere is safe for our girls in this country.”

Multan, Pakistan. A city steeped in violence. A conservative city where women are still subservient to men, considered old maids at twenty-five, and violence against women is rampant and often unpunished. Twenty-seven-year-old Ayesha is a modern Pakistani woman who is independent and in no hurry to marry. Then one day she catches the eye of Raza, the son of one of the wealthiest and most influential families in Multan. It is the answer to her parents prayers but the start of a nightmare for Ayesha as Raza becomes increasingly obsessed and exacts unthinkable revenge on her for being in love with another man. In an attempt to stay safe and recover from her ordeal, Ayesha travels to London where she meets Kamil, a UK Pakistani who is recovering from his own trauma. The pair begin to get closer, but Raza can’t let go of Ayesha, not only herself, but everyone around her in danger. Can she find a way to escape Raza’s clutches?

Powerful, heartrending, and thought-provoking, Someone Like Her is an unforgettable story that went straight to my soul. Beautifully written and powerfully told, Awais Khan explores themes of love, family, equality, female empowerment, domestic violence, and justice in this captivating novel. There’s a sinister presence and all-consuming dread that leaps from the pages as Khan paints a vivid picture of the stark reality of life in Pakistan. It is a particularly bleak life for women filled with subservience, brutality and fear, where women face the threat of beatings, rape, acid attacks, knife attacks, and even death for any perceived slight against men. It enraged me that there are still societies that allow this kind of behaviour to be seen as acceptable and go unpunished. As the mother of sons I was disgusted that parents are raising men who see women as property they are entitled to abuse or even kill. As a domestic abuse survivor I was incensed that these women have real safe haven or way out. But it isn’t only women who are abused and I was happy that Khan also highlighted domestic abuse against men in this book. We need more visibility of this taboo topic so men feel more comfortable opening up about their experiences and asking for help.

“She was done being scared. It was time to take control of her life.”

Ayesha is an inspirational but very real character. She’s progressive, tenacious, courageous, and easy to root for. She goes through absolute hell and there were many times I wanted to reach into the book and help her escape this nightmare but I was also filled with admiration for the strength and fierce resolve she possessed even in the darkest and most terrifying of circumstances. I had a real soft spot for Kamil who was obviously going through a lot, and as his past trauma was slowly revealed my heart went out to him even more. I was also filled with admiration for how he worked to heal and overcome his pain, something that I’m sure will help a lot of people. And though it was predictable, I loved the blossoming relationship between him and Ayesha and was rooting for them to overcome the horrific obstacles put in their way to find happiness together. Then there’s Raza. Cruel, depraved, and merciless, he is one of the most terrifying monsters I’ve read. A true psychopath with no redeeming qualities, he made me shudder every time he was on the page and was a prime example of toxic masculinity, twisted love and obsession. The revenge he took on Ayesha for daring to say no to him is truly horrifying and I felt sick knowing that there are real men like him subjecting real women to these unspeakable acts. 

Dark, hard-hitting, affecting, and inspirational, Someone Like Her is a difficult but important read that I highly recommend. 

Rating: ✮✮✮✮✰

✮✮✮✮.5

TW: Domestic violence, rape

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MEET THE AUTHOR:

Awais Khan is a graduate of the University of Western Ontario and Durham University. He has studied creative writing with Faber Academy. His debut novel, In the Company of Strangers, was published to much critical acclaim and he regularly appears on TV and Radio. Awais also teaches a popular online creative writing course to aspiring writers around the world. He is currently working on his third book. When not working, he has his nose buried in a book. He lives in Lahore.

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BUY THE BOOK:

Orenda Books | Waterstones* | Amazon* | Bookshop.org*

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Thanks for reading Bibliophiles xxxx

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

*All these links are affiliate links

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Book Features book reviews Emma's Anticipated Treasures Squadpod Squadpod Reviews

SQUADPOD REVIEWS: The Continental Affair by Christine Mangan

Published August 3rd, 2023 by Bedford Square Publishers
Thriller, Suspense, Psychological Thriller, Historical Thriller

Welcome to my review of this elegant and enthralling caper. Thanks to EdPR for the invitation to review this book, and to them and Bedford Square Publishers for the gifted ARC.

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SYNOPSIS:

With gorgeous prose, European glamour, and an expansive wanderlust, Christine Mangan’s The Continental Affair is a fast-paced, Agatha Christie-esque caper packed full of romance and suspense.

Meet Henri and Louise.

Two strangers, travelling alone, on the train from Belgrade to Istanbul.

Except this isn’t the first time they have met.

It’s the 1960s, and Louise is running.

From her past in England, from the owners of the money she has stolen―and from Henri, the person who has been sent to collect it.

Across the Continent―from Granada to Paris, from Belgrade to Istanbul―Henri follows.

He’s desperate to leave behind his own troubles and the memories of his past life as a gendarme in Algeria.

But Henri soon realises that Louise is no ordinary traveller.

As the train hurtles toward its final destination, Henri and Louise must decide what the future will hold―and whether it involves one another.

Stylish and atmospheric, The Continental Affair takes you on an unforgettable journey through the twisty, glamorous world of 1960s Europe.

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MY REVIEW:

Henri and Louise are two strangers travelling alone on a train from Belgrade to Istanbul. Only this isn’t the first time they’ve met…

An elegant and alluring story filled with glamour, romance and intrigue, The Continental Affair is an action-packed historical mystery you won’t want to put down. This was my first time reading a book by Christine Magnan and I’m so mad at myself for sleeping on her books! Rich in sumptuous detail, filled with lyrical prose, and oozing with malice, I lost myself in this book. Magnan transported me back to 1960s Europe so vividly that I could feel the heat on my skin and smell the cigarettes. 

A chance rendezvous between two strangers in a foreign city leads to their fates being inextricably entwined. I was on the edge of my seat as we moved seamlessly between narrators and timelines, slowly revealing their stories and secrets. Henri and Louise are compelling and mysterious characters who appear at first to have little in common. But soon we see their similarities: they are both alone in the world, have tragic histories, are running from their pasts, and both just want to belong. Though they made some questionable decisions, they were likeable and I was completely invested in their stories. I enjoyed their game of cat and mouse and was rooting for them as I watched them get closer. 

Luscious, atmospheric, stylish and memorable, this twisty caper had me on the edge of my seat from beginning to end. Highly recommended. 

Rating: ✮✮✮✮✰

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MEET THE AUTHOR:

Christine Mangan is the author of the Tangerine and Palace of the Drowned. The Continental Affair is her latest book. She has her Ph.D. in English from University College Dublin, with a focus on 18th-century Gothic literature, and an MFA in fiction writing from the University of Southern Maine. She lives in Detroit.

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BUY THE BOOK:

Waterstones* | Amazon* | Bookshop.org*

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Thanks for reading Bibliophiles xxxx

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BLOG TOUR: One by Eve Smith

Published July 20th, 2023 by Orenda Books
Mystery, Thriller, Suspense, Dystopian Fiction, Science Fiction, Political Fiction

Welcome to my stop on the blog tour for this outstanding, thought-provoking thriller. Thank you to Anne at Random Things Tours for the invitation to take part, and to Karen at Orenda for the gifted copy of the book.

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SYNOPSIS:

A powerful, prescient, gripping speculative thriller: a woman’s job of enforcing climate-emergency Britain’s one-child policy is compromised when she discovers a personal link to an illegal sibling on the ministry hit-list, leading to a shocking discovery that changes everything…
 
‘A tightly paced plot set in an all-too imaginable future … a page-turning, thought-provoking read’ Jo Callaghan
 
‘Eve Smith is a master storyteller for our troubled times’ Simon Conway
 
‘A terrifying vision of a global climate emergency, a jaw-dropping government conspiracy and some truly devastating twists … one hell of a speculative thriller’ Tom Hindle
 
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One law. One child. Seven million crimes…
 
A cataclysmic climate emergency has spawned a one-child policy in the UK, ruthlessly enforced by a totalitarian regime. Compulsory abortion of ‘excess’ pregnancies and mandatory contraceptive implants are now the norm, and families must adhere to strict consumption quotas as the world descends into chaos.
 
Kai is a 25-year-old ‘baby reaper’, working for the Ministry of Population and Family Planning. If any of her assigned families attempt to exceed their child quota, she ensures they pay the price.
 
Until, one morning, she discovers that an illegal sibling on her Ministry hit-list is hers. And to protect her parents from severe penalties, she must secretly investigate before anyone else finds out.
 
Kai’s hunt for her forbidden sister unearths much more than a dark family secret. As she stumbles across a series of heinous crimes perpetrated by the people she trusted most, she makes a catastrophic discovery that could bring down the government … and tear her family apart.

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MY REVIEW:

One law. One child. Seven million crimes…

With a tagline like that, how could I resist picking up the latest speculative thriller by Eve Smith. Her debut, The Waiting Rooms, was one of my favourite books of 2021 and from that one sentence alone I knew I was in for a terrifying treat with this one. And I was right.

The story is set in a future where a catastrophic climate emergency has left our world in chaos. The UK is now run by the Nazi-esque ONE Party, who enforce a dictatorial regime. Everything is heavily monitored, there are consumption quotas in place, and there is a strict one-child policy that must be adhered to. 

Kai Houghton works for the Ministry of Population and Family Planning as a ‘baby reaper’, one of those in charge of enforcing the one-child policy and imposing severe  penalties such as forced abortions and imprisonment for anyone attempting to exceed their child quota. Then one day she receives an alert that turns her world upside down. When an illegal sibling is identified as hers, she begins a secret investigation in the hope of protecting her parents and her job. But Kai unearths more than she bargained for and is faced with a difficult choice: expose the heinous crimes she’s uncovered that could destroy the government, or keep her family together. 

Powerful, gripping, and thought-provoking, I devoured this outstanding thriller, enrapt by the nightmarish future that sprang from Eve Smith’s imagination. From the start this is a world that feels both familiar and foreign. It is clear that life has been infiltrated by technology and data even more than today, slowly revealing more of the tyrannical rules and regulations and offering what feels like a terrifying glimpse of what could be our future if we continue to abuse our planet and strip away human rights. 

Smith is a master storyteller, expertly merging complex moral dilemmas, social issues, dark secrets, and mystery, then weaving in compelling family drama that gives the story its beating heart. It is brilliantly written, tightly plotted and propulsive with a constant tempo of dread; the mercurial presence of ONE looming over every page. The unexpected twists left me blindsided and I found it impossible to put the book down, racing through it quickly with a desperate need for resolution. But would it be the one I hoped for?

Well written and memorable characters are a key part of a great book for me, and this book delivers. Kai is a fantastic protagonist. Smith makes the reader feel every emotion she does, leaving it impossible not to feel for her as her world is torn apart and everything she thought she knew crumbles into pieces. As she faces seemingly impossible choices that test her moral compass, you ask yourself what you would do in her shoes. Would I have the strength to do what’s right even if it means losing everything? Smith doesn’t shy away from the painful consequences of people’s actions while making the reader feel the character’s emotions and face the shades of grey that led to their decisions. 

Atmospheric, chilling, and uncompromising, this is one of the best thrillers I’ve read this year. An absolute must-read. 

Rating: ✮✮✮✮✮

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MEET THE AUTHOR:

Eve Smith writes speculative fiction, mainly about the things that scare her. She attributes her love of all things dark and dystopian to a childhood watching Tales of the Unexpected and black-and-white Edgar Allen Poe double bills. In this world of questionable facts, stats and news, she believes storytelling is more important than ever to engage people in real life issues.

Longlisted for the Not the Booker Prize and described by Waterstones as “an exciting new voice in crime fiction”, Eve’s debut novel The Waiting Rooms, set in the aftermath of an antibiotic resistance crisis, was shortlisted for the Bridport Prize First Novel Award and was selected as a Book of the Month by Eric Brown in The Guardian who compared her writing to Michael Crichton’s.

Eve’s previous job as COO of an environmental charity took her to research projects across Asia, Africa and the Americas, and she has an ongoing passion for wild creatures, wild science and far-flung places. When she’s not writing she’s racing across fields after her dog, trying to organise herself and her family, or off exploring somewhere new.

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BUY THE BOOK:

Orenda Books | Bert’s Books | Waterstones* | Amazon* | Bookshop.org*

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Thanks for reading Bibliophiles xxxx

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

*These purchase links are affiliate links

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BLOG TOUR: Everyone Here Is Lying by Shari Lapena

Published July 6th, 2023 by Bantam
Suspense, Psychological Thriller

Welcome to my stop on the tour for this chaotic and bingeable thriller. Thank you to Anne at Random Things Tours for the invitation to take part, and to Bantam Press for the gifted eBook ARC.

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SYNOPSIS:

The gripping new thriller from the #1 Sunday Times bestselling author of THE COUPLE NEXT DOOR

Welcome to Stanhope – a safe neighbourhood. A place for families.

William Wooler is a family man, on the surface. But he’s been having an affair, an affair that ended horribly this afternoon at a motel up the road. So when he returns to his house, devastated and angry, to find his difficult nine-year-old daughter Avery unexpectedly home from school, William loses his temper.

Hours later, Avery’s family declares her missing.

Suddenly Stanhope doesn’t feel so safe. And William isn’t the only one on his street who’s hiding a lie. As witnesses come forward with information that may or may not be true, Avery’s neighbours become increasingly unhinged.

Who took Avery Wooler?

Nothing will prepare you for the truth.

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MY REVIEW:

Stanhope. A small town that is considered safe for families. But when nine-year-old Avery Wooler goes missing one afternoon, it suddenly doesn’t feel so safe. As the police investigate, witnesses come forward with shocking allegations, and the Wooler’s neighbours become increasingly unhinged. And there are some residents who are hiding secrets they don’t want revealed. Could one of them hold the clues to what happened to Avery?

Omg. Was this the rollercoaster ride! Compelling, chaotic, and surprising, this twist-filled suburban family drama sizzled with suspense from beginning to end. Once again, Shari Lapena delivers, and I was hooked as she expertly wove her intricate web of doubt around this neighbourhood, leaving me on the edge of my seat as I tried to decipher the clues and red herrings. I was unprepared as she revealed the truth; pulling the rug from under me in one swift, skilled move. It was impossible to put down and I devoured it quickly over the course of an afternoon. 

A multiple point of view thriller exploring the shocking fallout of an affair, the story is told by a cast of complex, flawed and conflicted characters, many of whom have something to hide. Having so many narrators did make the story feel a bit choppy at first, but I soon got used to it quickly moving between characters and I enjoyed the insight into what so many key players were thinking and feeling as the story unfolded. And what unfolded is every parent’s worst nightmare. The pain radiates from the pages as Erin and William Wooley wait for news of their daughter’s fate, but it was hard to have much sympathy for William, even when he was living in a hotel with his marriage in tatters, because of his actions and the uncertainty about his involvement in the crime. But my heart broke for Erin and Avery’s brother, Michael, as they waited for news. But it isn’t an easy case for the police to solve. Rumours and accusations are rife, and suspicion spreads like a disease, the ripple effect of William and Nora’s affair being felt by many in the neighbourhood. 

Atmospheric, intricate, unpredictable, and filled with adrenaline, Everyone Here Is Lying is a totally bingeable psychological thriller that has all the ingredients that made me fall in love with the genre. A must-read. 

Rating: ✮✮✮✮✰

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MEET THE AUTHOR:

Shari Lapena is the #1 internationally bestselling author of six suspense novels including The Couple Next Door, A Stranger in the House, An Unwanted Guest, Someone We Know, The End of Her, and Not a Happy Family. Everyone Here is Lying is coming in July 2023.

A former lawyer and English teacher, Shari now writes full time from a farm in Ontario, where she lives with her husband.

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BUY THE BOOK:

Waterstones | Amazon | Bookshop.org

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Thanks for reading Bibliophiles xxx

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

*All purhcase links are affiliate links

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

SQUADPOD REVIEWS: Good Girls Die Last by Natali Simmonds

Published June 22nd, 2023 by Headline
Thriller, Suspense, Psychological Thriller

I’m a bit late, but I’m finally sharing my review for the thought-provoking and fierce thriller, Good Girls Die Last, which was a Squadpod Reviews book last month.

Thank you to Headline for the gifted copy.

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SYNOPSIS:

Today, nothing is going right for Em. And it’s about to get much worse.
Heartbroken by a recent split, with her 30th birthday looming, she loses her job and her home in the same morning because of two swaggering, dishonest men – the boss who sexually harassed her and the flatmate sleeping with her behind his fiancée’s back. But all Em can think about is catching a flight to attend her sister’s wedding and see her dying mother.

With a record-breaking heatwave, and a serial killer making the streets unsafe, London is completely gridlocked. Em’s life has always been full of men getting their own way, and today the scorched city teems with them standing between her and home. As Em’s troubled past returns to haunt her, she refuses to let them win. Her defiance leads to shocking consequences that soon spiral wildly out of control.

In a world where men don’t listen, and girls have no voice, one woman can change everything.
Today, no one will be staying silent.

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MY REVIEW:

“They don’t like a woman with a loud voice. You start shouting, bringing attention to them and it scares the shit out of them.”

Em is having one of those days where nothing is going right. She’s lost her job, lost her home, and a heatwave has brought London to a standstill forcing her to have to drag her suitcase across the city to try and make her plane back home for her sister’s wedding and to see her dying mother. But the heat isn’t the only dangerous thing about London’s streets; a serial killer is targeting women and making the streets feel unsafe. Tired of men getting their way at her and other women’s expense, Em refuses to let them win anymore. And her defiance will cause shockwaves…

Good Girls Die Last is a gripping and timely thriller about violence against women, female rage, female fear, and finding your voice. Natali Simmonds has created a book that is part entertaining thriller, part social commentary, and part call to arms. All women will recognise the fear and frustration on these pages. We’ve all had a man say, ‘Smile love, it might never happen’, or make lewd comments when we’re simply walking on the street. We all know that feeling of rage boiling inside while we are forced to plaster on a mask of normalcy and smile sweetly. And Em embodies us all when she decides to take her stand, even if she was unprepared for the ripple effect it caused. Fast-paced, laced with dark humour, and brilliantly written, I loved the mysteries that the author wove into the story that kept me on the edge of my seat. What is in Em’s past that she’s running from? And who is the serial killer stalking London’s streets? I needed answers and inhaled this book to get them. And that last sentence! I’m still reeling from that particular body blow. 

“It’s not the big things that send you over the edge. People think it is; not having a house, losing all your money, all that. But it’s not. It’s the little things that kill you. The stuff that sneaks up on you while you’re busy holding on tight to the big things.”

Em is all of us. A deeply flawed but real and relatable character who is fierce, feisty and furious. Still reeling from heartbreak, grappling with her 30th birthday looming, keeping who she really is a secret from her family, and harbouring a dark secret of her own, Em’s rage finally boils over. She’s tired of being walked over by misogynists who feel entitled to their own way at the expense of women, and tired of keeping quiet and sweet. But Em isn’t the only brilliant character in this book. I also really loved Rose, the spunky and memorable woman who Em meets on her pilgrimage to the airport and forms a quick but strong bond with. 

Fiery, enraging, unapologetic and brimming with tension, Good Girls Die Last is a thought-provoking feminist thriller every woman needs to read. 

Rating: ✮✮✮✮✰

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MEET THE AUTHOR:

Natali Simmonds’ debut thriller Good Girls Die Last will be published in hardback by Headline in June 2023. A feminist, London-centric Falling Down meets Summer of Sam, Good Girls Die Last is perfect for fans of A Promising Young Woman.

Natali also writes fantasy under the pseudonym of N J Simmonds (her adult trilogy The Path Keeper, Son of Secrets, and Children of Shadows was shortlisted for the 2022 RNA Fantasy Award), along with Middle Grade fantasy, and is one half of paranormal romance writer, Caedis Knight. Whatever the genre, Natali’s stories are always gritty and unflinching, full of complex women and page-turning suspense.

When Natali’s not writing books, she works as a freelance brand consultant and writer, and lectures for Raindance Film School (among others). Originally from London, she now splits her time between Spain and the Netherlands where she can be found drawing, reading in her hammock, or complaining about cycling in the rain.

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BUY THE BOOK:

Waterstones* | Amazon* | Bookshop.org*

********

Thanks for reading Bibliophiles xxx

*These links are affiliate links