The Measure by Nikki Erlick

Description from Goodreads:

"It seems like any other day. You wake up, drink a cup of coffee, and head out.

But today, when you open your front door, waiting for you is a small wooden box. The contents of this mysterious box tells you the exact number of years you will live.

From suburban doorsteps to desert tents, every person on every continent receives the same box. In an instant, the world is thrust into a collective frenzy. Where did these boxes come from? What do they mean? Is there truth to what they promise?

As society comes together and pulls apart, everyone faces the same shocking choice: Do they wish to know how long they’ll live? And, if so, what will they do with that knowledge?"

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A thought-provoking premise that slightly missed the mark for me

I’ve had this one sitting on my ever increasing to-be-read pile since 2022, so I was really looking forward to finally diving into it. The concept behind the story is undeniably brilliant. One morning, every person aged twenty-two and over wakes up to find a small wooden box on their doorstep. Inside is a single string, and the length of that string reveals exactly how long you have left to live. It’s such an intriguing setup, and it immediately makes you wonder what you’d do in that situation. Would you open the box or leave it sealed?

The story follows an ensemble cast of characters as humanity grapples with the aftermath of these mysterious arrivals. Nikki Erlick does a great job exploring the societal fallout and the prejudices that quickly form between those with short strings and those with long ones. The political and ethical dilemmas raised throughout the book are genuinely fascinating to think about, and it definitely gets your mind racing about destiny, choices, and human nature.

However, whilst the premise had me completely hooked at first, the execution felt a bit lacking in places. With so many character perspectives to jump between, I struggled to build a strong connection with any of them. Just as I was getting invested in one storyline, we’d jump to someone else, which made the pacing feel a little slow and fractured in the middle. I also felt like the story played it slightly too safe towards the end rather than fully leaning into the emotional chaos of its concept.

It’s still an enjoyable read with plenty of great book club discussion potential, even if it didn't quite live up to its massive potential for me.

Thank you to the author, publisher, and NetGalley for enabling me to read and share my honest thoughts.

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Nine Lives by Peter Swanson

Description from Goodreads:

"If you're on the list you're marked for death.

The envelope is unremarkable. There is no return address. It contains a single, folded, sheet of white paper.

The envelope drops through the mail slot like any other piece of post. But for the nine complete strangers who receive it - each of them recognising just one name, their own, on the enclosed list - it will be the most life altering letter they ever receive. It could also be the last, as one by one, they start to meet their end.

But why?

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An intriguing setup with an homage to Agatha Christie that loses steam

I’ve had this one sitting on my dusty to-be-read shelf for ages, so I was really glad to finally get round to reading it. Nine strangers across America receive a plain sheet of paper in the post with nothing on it except a list of nine names. None of them seem to have anything in common, and no one knows who sent it. But as the people on the list start dying in mysterious circumstances, it becomes a race against time for the survivors and the FBI to figure out what connects them before the killer strikes again. It is a locked room style premise based on Agatha Christie’s And Then There Were None, so I was genuinely looking forward to diving into it.

The opening chapters set up the mystery really well. Watching the news unfold and seeing the panic set in across the different characters built up a lot of initial tension. Peter Swanson’s writing style is very readable and the short, fast-paced chapters kept me turning pages early on.

However, as the story progressed, it started to stumble for me. Switching between nine different point-of-view characters meant I never really got to know or care about any of them. Whenever a character died, it lacked any real emotional weight because we had barely spent any pages with them. As the body count mounted, the plot began to feel quite repetitive. The big reveal of the killer and their motive felt a bit rushed and underwhelming compared to the cleverness of the initial setup.

Overall, it is a decent, light thriller that makes for a quick read, but it did not quite live up to its full potential for me.

Thank you to the author, publisher, and NetGalley for enabling me to read and share my honest thoughts.

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The Head Collector by Mark Griffin

🔥🔥🔥 Publication Date:  19 October 2026 🔥🔥🔥

Description from Goodreads:

"The killer is always one step ahead...

Criminal psychologist Oswald Bennet understands the minds of killers better than anyone - because he was raised by two of them. Now, working alongside DI Anderson of the Portland Police, Oswald is pulled into a chilling case that will test his every limit.

When a devoted mother is brutally decapitated in her basement, authorities rule it an impossibly elaborate suicide. But Oswald knows better, recognising the hallmarks of a highly organised, theatrical predator.

As another headless body turns up on the local Amtrak tracks, a terrifying pattern emerges. Drawn into a deadly psychological game where terror strikes dangerously close to home, Oswald must face his own darkest demons before time runs out."

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An absolute belter of a thriller and a brilliant start to a potential series

Having never read anything by Mark Griffin before, I wasn't entirely sure what I was walking into with The Head Collector. However, it completely blew me away from the very first chapter and ended up being an easy five-star read.

The story dives straight into a dark and gripping mystery that keeps you guessing all the way through. The pacing is spot on, building up the tension nicely without ever dragging, and the dark atmosphere kept me completely hooked.

What really stood out for me, though, were the characters. Even though this is my first time reading this author, the writing makes the people on the page feel so real and fleshed out. I am really hopeful that this becomes a series because I enjoyed it so much, and I would love to see how these characters develop and grow in future books.

If you love a gritty crime thriller with brilliant pacing and characters you actually care about, you definitely need to pick this one up.

Thank you to the author, the publisher and NetGalley for enabling me to read and share my thoughts.

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The Heights by Ian Rankin

🔥🔥🔥 Publication date:  8 October 2026 🔥🔥🔥

Description from Goodreads:

"Facing Hyde Park, The Heights is London’s most coveted luxury high-rise apartment—designed to satisfy every need, with a gym, infinity pool, cinema, and more, where self-made owner-developer Allan Franklyn himself has claimed the penthouse duplex. His neighbors include some of “Money London’s” biggest personalities: a wealthy art dealer, a young heartthrob pop star, a foreign heiress, a gangster’s wife. The residents are used to service, deference, and privacy, all on their terms.

But when nighttime concierge Dwayne Hogarth is found dead in the lobby, none of that is in their control anymore, and everyone’s under the unwelcome scrutiny of Detective Sergeant Gillian Gish. Her questions begin with the party on the 4th floor the night Dwayne died, which ended with a fight; the missing key to one of the apartments; and a mysterious gap in the security camera footage. Before long, Gish uncovers the unsavory truths and dark secrets that lurk beneath the glittering facades of the building and its inhabitants."

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Solid but didn't quite grab me

Having never read any of Ian Rankin's work before, I wasn't entirely sure what to expect when picking up The Heights, but given how hugely popular he is in the crime world, I was definitely curious. Unfortunately, while I can see why so many people rate him, this particular book just didn't grab me.

The plot itself is clever but there were too many characters and I found the story a bit of a slog to get through in parts. The pacing felt quite slow to build up and I struggled to get properly invested in the characters or what was happening. I kept waiting for that spark to kick things into high gear for me, but it stayed at a fairly steady, slow burn all the way through.

That being said, the writing is solid and he creates a really believable atmosphere with a strong sense of place. It certainly wasn't a terrible read by any means, but it just lacked the grip and excitement that I usually look for in a thriller.

Overall, while it didn't quite hit the mark for me, fans of slower crime stories might enjoy it a lot more than I did.

Thank you to the author, the publisher and NetGalley for enabling me to read an advanced copy and share my honest thoughts.

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The Shadow People (Patel and Pardoe #3) by Graham Masterton

Description from Goodreads:

"Det. Sgt. Jamila Patel and Det. Con. Jerry Pardoe have reluctantly acquired a reputation in the Metropolitan Police for their ability to tackle bizarre and apparently supernatural crimes. Now they have been called back together after three bodies are found in a London basement... bodies which have been taken apart, roasted and eaten.

The markings on the wall suggest this might have been done by some kind of religious cult – and as more people are kidnapped and cannibalised, Patel and Pardoe realise they are dealing with a group of devil-worshippers invoking an ancient god who has not been worshipped since the Neolithic age..."

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A creepy horror

This one has been sitting patiently on my to-be-read pile since 2022 and I have finally got round to reading it. I have been a huge fan of Mr Masterton since my teenage years and have read loads of his books over the years so I was really looking forward to this. Sadly, it just did not really do it for me this time around. 

The story follows DS Jamila Patel and DC Jerry Pardoe as they investigate a bizarre and brutal cult operating in London that sacrifices people to mysterious shadow entities hiding in the dark.

The initial concept is brilliant and genuinely unsettling. There is no denying that the author still knows how to create a deeply creepy atmosphere and there are some incredibly graphic, stomach-churning horror scenes that will satisfy hardcore gore fans. The idea of the shadow people themselves is fascinating and there are moments of real tension early on.

However, as the book progressed, the plot started to feel a bit disjointed and repetitive. It felt like the story moved from one gruesome set-piece to the next without giving the characters or the mythology enough room to develop properly. The pacing dragged in the middle and the ending wrapped up far too quickly and easily given how powerful the threat was supposed to be. 

It is a decent, fast horror read if you love classic Masterton violence, but it did not quite live up to many of his other books although it won't put me off reading more of his work in the future. 

A big thank you to the author, the publisher and NetGalley for enabling me to read and share my thoughts.

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Every Silent Thing by M.R. Madonna [Audiobook]

🔥🔥🔥 Publication date: 13 October 2026 🔥🔥🔥

Description from Goodreads:

"A mother and son each harbor a plot to save the other—unaware their colliding plans threaten to unearth a secret that will destroy them both.

At thirteen, Levi Tallon is already running out of options. Trapped between a father's escalating violence and a mother who keeps waiting for God to save them, he lives in constant fear of the next drunken rage. Then he meets Doley—a juvie-scarred loner and prime suspect in a woman's disappearance. What starts as an unlikely friendship hardens into a dangerous alliance sealed in blood: together they'll kill Levi's father and free his mother for good.

But Levi has misjudged the woman who raised him. Maggie struck her own pact long ago, and the secret she's been hiding within her marriage will twist his plan inside out. As her truth unravels, so does Levi's faith—sending him on a search for answers that will tear apart everything he thought he knew about his family, his new friend, and himself."

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An atmospheric and gripping thriller

I was intrigued by the premise of Every Silent Thing and it proved to be a dark, tense and captivating listen that held my attention from start to finish.

Please note that the story touches on some heavier, darker themes—including trauma and abuse—which might be triggering for some readers, so it's definitely worth keeping in mind before diving in.

M.R. Madonna crafts a  chilling atmosphere that builds gradually as the story unfolds. The narrative is full of subtle suspense, secrets and quiet dread, making it very easy to get completely absorbed in the mystery. The plot moves along at a steady pace with plenty of twists to keep you guessing as the truth comes to light.

The narration was good and really enhanced the overall listening experience. The narrator delivered a well-balanced performance, capturing the moody tone of the story and giving distinct voices to the characters without ever feeling overdone. Listening to the story play out added an extra layer of tension that worked brilliantly for a thriller like this.

While there were a few minor moments where the pacing slowed down a touch in the middle, the overall mystery made it an enjoyable listen.

Thank you to the author, the publisher and NetGalley for enabling me to listen to an advanced audio copy and share my honest thoughts.

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Blood on the Snow (DI James Walker #7) by Alex Pine

🔥🔥🔥 Publication Date:  22 October 2026 🔥🔥🔥

Description from Goodreads:

"Nicola and Emily, friends taking a holiday break, have become victims of a frenzied attack. With no signs of forced entry and their phones missing, DCI James Walker is stumped.

As he delves deeper into the case, James uncovers a tangled web of betrayal involving a jilted lover, a vengeful carer, and a business partner with a deadly agenda.

Each suspect has a motive fit for murder, but can James unravel the mystery before there are more victims this holiday season?"

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Another fantastic festive murder mystery with DI Walker

As someone who looks forward to getting my DI Walker fix every year, I was thrilled to dive into Blood on the Snow. Having read and reviewed every book from book two right up to book six, I had high expectations for this seventh instalment and it certainly did not disappoint.

The story drops you right back into the familiar, atmospheric surroundings, bringing all the festive tension and clever plotting that Alex Pine does so well. The mystery keeps you hooked right from the start with plenty of twists and turns to keep you guessing as the team works to untangle the case. I love the characters and the dynamics within the team, which make returning to this series feel like catching up with old friends every winter.

And just to reassure people, the murder rate in Cumbria is exceptionally low especially around the area covered by DI Walker and his team so you don't need to worry if you're thinking of coming to my neck of the woods for Christmas!! 

It's a brilliant, fast-paced and thoroughly entertaining festive crime read that I couldn't put down. If you enjoy a great Christmas police procedural, this series is an absolute must.

Thank you to the author, the publisher and NetGalley for enabling me to read and share my thoughts.

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You Are Mine by Alex Lake

🔥🔥🔥 Publication Date:  22 October 2026 🔥🔥🔥

Description from Goodreads:

"Mary Jordan is walking along the street when she spots a sign.

If you are reading this, I am watching you.

You are now part of my collection.

You will be mine, and your life will never be the same again.

Mary is horrified. Her skin crawls at the idea of being watched.

She searches the buildings, looking for a face at a window.

But only for a moment. There’s nothing to fear. It’s obviously just a harmless prank.

She could not be more wrong…"

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A decent psychological thriller 

Having read several of Alex Lake's previous books over the years, I was really looking forward to picking up You Are Mine. While it wasn't quite up there with her best work for me, it was still a solid read with a few good moments.

The premise had plenty of potential, but I found the execution a little slow and not quite as gripping than I thought it was going to be especially given the start. Parts of the narrative felt quite repetitive, which slowed down the overall momentum and made it feel less tense than I was hoping for. I usually love a fast-paced thriller that keeps you on the edge of your seat, but this one felt a bit more stretched out.

That being said, the story picked up towards the end. The final chapters delivered a good conclusion and I liked how it all played out. It brought everything together and made the slower sections worth sticking with.

Overall, while it wasn't my favourite by this author, it was still an okay read that will appeal to fans of slow-burn psychological thrillers.

Thank you to the author, the publisher and NetGalley for enabling me to read an advanced copy and share my honest thoughts.

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Final Dawn (Mackenzie Reynolds #3) by D.V. Berkom

🔥🔥🔥 Expected Publication: 1 October 2026 🔥🔥🔥

Description from the author's website:

"A kill list. A missing father. A nation on the brink.

When a messianic terrorist puts a target on the federal justice system, elite close protection operative Mackenzie “Mac” Reynolds is all that stands between order and total chaos.

Mac Reynolds knows how to read a room, spot a threat, and keep a client alive. But when a ruthless domestic terror network begins executing judges, senators, and intelligence officers, even her elite training is pushed to the absolute limit.

Victor Hale has activated sleeper cells, breached government networks, and turned the Pacific Northwest into a blood-soaked battlefield. But for Mac, the nightmare becomes deeply personal when her mentor and her father suddenly vanish—straight into Hale’s trap.

To save the men she loves, Mac must hunt down Hale’s shadow financier and dismantle his network before sleeper cells ignite across the country. But the deeper she digs, the darker the conspiracy becomes… and the closer she gets to a terrifying truth:

The real enemy isn’t at the gates. It’s already inside."

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An outstanding and action-packed series finale

Having read the first two books in the Mackenzie Reynolds series and plenty of D. V. Berkom's other books over the years, I had high expectations for this one and it did not disappoint in the slightest. Final Dawn is a fantastic conclusion to the trilogy, delivering high stakes, non-stop action and brilliant character moments from start to finish.

The story hits the ground running and keeps the momentum going all the way through. Mackenzie is such a tough, relatable heroine, and watching her face her biggest challenge yet kept me completely hooked. I particularly loved the  appearance from Leine Basso although I would have liked her to meet Etta!! Having followed Leine's own adventures for so long, seeing her step into Mac's world was such a fantastic treat and added an extra kick to an already thrilling plot.

It feels like a fitting finale for the series, but I am certainly keeping my fingers crossed that this isn't the last we see of Mackenzie. Even if it is just a brief cameo in a future Leine Basso novel, I would love to see her make a comeback at some point down the line.

If you enjoy fast-paced thrillers with fierce female leads, you definitely need to pick this one up and, to be honest, any of D.V.'s work.

Once again, thank you to D.V. for accepting me as a member of her ARTeam and for enabling me to read and share my thoughts of Final Dawn and my hungry eyes can't wait to read her next outing whoever that may star!

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The Interview by C.M. Ewan

Description from Goodreads:

"It’s 5 p.m. on a Friday.

You have been called to an interview for your dream job.

In a stunning office thirteen floors above the city below, you are all alone with the man interviewing you.

Everyone else has gone home for the weekend.

The interview gets more and more disturbing.

You’re feeling scared.

Your only way out is to answer a seemingly impossible question.

If you can’t . . . what happens next?"

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A tense setup that loses its way in the second half

This is another book that has been sitting on my to-be-read pile since 2022 and I have finally got round to reading it now. Having already read A Window Breaks and One Wrong Turn by the same author, both of which I thoroughly enjoyed, I was really excited to dive into this one. Unfortunately, it did not live up to those for me. 

The story focuses on Kate, who arrives at a sleek, high-rise office building for a late-evening job interview that quickly turns into a terrifying locked-room nightmare.

The first half of the book is brilliantly done. The claustrophobic atmosphere inside the empty building is incredibly tense and it really captures that unsettling feeling of being trapped. It reads like a fast-paced action movie early on and the suspense kept me turning the pages quite quickly to find out what was going on.

However, once the true motives are revealed in the second half, the plot starts to fall apart a bit. It felt like the story stretched the boundaries of believability too far, relying on some highly unrealistic action sequences and massive coincidences. The pacing slowed down significantly during these sections and the characters started making decisions that just did not make sense, which ruined the initial tension. 

It is a decent, quick thriller if you want something fast and dramatic, but it just did not hit the same high standard as his other novels for me however, it won't put me off reading more in the future.

A big thank you to the author, the publisher and NetGalley for enabling me to read and share my thoughts.

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The Christmas Killer (DI Barton #9) by Ross Greenwood

Description from Goodreads:

"The winter holidays finally look set to bring a white Christmas, but the beautiful snow hides horrors beneath. When a man is found cruelly tortured and murdered, the Major Crimes team is already stretched thin through illness and stunned by an internal corruption investigation.

DCI John Barton hesitantly leaves his sabbatical to take the case, immediately confronting the same dark secrets that forced him away. The dead man was a loner and the perfect target, but when there is another savage murder, Barton begins to suspect that the killer is delving into the victims' pasts for a very specific, terrifying reason. And time is running out.

As the blizzard isolates the city, Barton realises they aren't pursuing a festive fanatic; they are hunting something far worse. With the department gripped by ice and paranoia, Barton knows he is getting closer to the truth, but will he be fast enough?

Because if he isn't, not everyone will make it home for Christmas."

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An absolute cracker of a festive crime thriller

Having really enjoyed reading The Village Killer back in 2024, I was so excited to dive into another case with DI Barton. Somehow I managed to skip book eight in the series, but I am pleased to say it didn't affect my enjoyment at all. The story reads brilliantly, and it was so easy to jump straight back into the world of Barton and his team.

The setup is brilliant and gets you hooked straight away. Ross Greenwood has a real gift for pacing, keeping the narrative moving along at a rapid speed without losing any of the tension. What I love most about these books, though, are the characters. DI Barton is such a fantastic lead, and the dynamics within the team feel warm, authentic and grounded. You really get invested in their lives as well as the central mystery.

The plot itself is hugely engaging and kept me guessing all the way through. There were a few false starts and twists that threw me off the scent, and it actually took me quite a while to figure out who the killer was, which made the final reveal so satisfying. It is clever, atmospheric and packs plenty of festive suspense.

If you love a well-crafted police procedural with fantastic character chemistry and plenty of twists, this is an absolute must-read and don't leave it until Christmas!

Thank you to the author, the publisher and NetGalley for enabling me to read and share my honest thoughts.

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Hidden in Plain Sight (The County Cork Killings #2) by Michelle Dunne

Description from Goodreads:

"A migrant crisis. A corrupt harbour town. Who will stand for those who have become invisible to the rest of the world?

People have become one of the world's most valuable commodities. Trafficked on the promise of a new life only to be hidden away as modern day slaves. When Lena, a raped and badly beaten Syrian woman, literally falls into Lindsey Ryan's life, she's left with no choice but to find her part in this new war and play it as best she can.

But before she can work out a safe plan to get Lena away from her very own hell at the hands of Patrick Adebayo, Lindsey hears of an unconscious child being smuggled into Patrick's building just two doors up. Despite having Patrick's unwanted attention, she has to help the child and get Lena to safety regardless of the cost. In doing so, she finds herself face to face with the worst of humanity.

Added to her own private battle with PTSD, former soldier Lindsey Ryan is in a race against time and must once again fight for her life. But if she fails to protect those around her, what if anything, will that life be worth?

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A compelling Irish crime thriller that holds its own

Having previously enjoyed two of Michelle Dunne's books, I was really looking forward to diving back into her writing with this one. Hidden in Plain Sight is the second instalment in The County Cork Killings series, and even though I haven't read the first book, it didn't hinder my enjoyment at all. While I missed out on some of the earlier backstory and character development, the book stands firmly on its own feet and reads very well as a standalone.

Dunne has a fantastic ability to build tension but what really stood out for me was the sheer emotional weight surrounding the plight of the people she rescued and kept hidden. The harrowing situations these individuals were escaping made their struggle feel deeply personal, and watching Lindsey risk everything — facing a very real threat to her own safety just to keep them protected — added a powerful, high-stakes layer to the story.

Adding to that emotional depth is Lindsey's ongoing plight with PTSD. Her internal struggle is written with such empathy and realism that it really grounds the narrative, making her quiet bravery feel all the more impactful as she pushes through her own trauma while trying to safeguard others.

The plot moves along at a steady and engaging pace.  The characters are well-developed and relatable, making it very easy to root for them as the drama unfolds with my particular favourites being Eileen and Frank.

It's a tense, clever and immersive read that kept me hooked from start to finish is definitely one to add to your reading list.

Thank you to the author, the publisher and NetGalley for enabling me to read and share my honest thoughts.

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To All the Men I've Killed Before (Kitty Collins #3) by Katy Brent

🎙🎙🎙 Narrated by Victoria Morrison and Imogen Front🎙🎙🎙

Description from Goodreads:

"If a man hurt your best friend – like, really hurt her – what would you do?

Key his car? Broadcast what a scumbag he is to everyone in his life? Hunt him down and chop him into little pieces? If you picked number 3, I think we could be friends. Because that is exactly what I intend to do.

I've tracked this lowlife to LA and brought my little sister Antoinette along for the ride. It's like a girls' trip, only with more knives.

It won't be the first time I've killed for revenge. But it will be the sweetest."

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A brilliant finale packed with dark humour 

I listened to this as an audiobook, and I have to say the narrators did a fantastic job bringing the characters to life. Their performances captured all the sharp wit, chaotic energy, and underlying tension perfectly.

Kitty Collins is back, and this time she is taking her unique brand of vigilante justice across the Atlantic to sunny LA. The setting swap from rainy UK to chaotic Hollywood adds such a fun, glamorous backdrop to all the gory carnage. Escorting her on this trip is her younger sister Antoinette, who turns out to be quite the apprentice in murder, even if her messy tendencies leave Kitty doing plenty of cleanup. The dynamic and banter between the two sisters was easily one of my favourite parts of the entire story.

The plot moves at a relentless pace as Kitty sets out to avenge a friend, only to find herself mixed up in even more twisty chaos over in California. Katy Brent balances absolute bloodthirsty revenge with laugh out loud comedy so effortlessly. It is dark, unapologetic, and packed with that satisfying girl power energy where terrible men get exactly what is coming to them.

I am honestly quite sad that this is the final book in the series. I am going to miss Kitty terribly, as she has been such an iconic character from start to finish. Having said that, with Antoinette bringing so much chaotic potential to the table, it makes me wonder if we might get a new spin-off series featuring her in the future.

My thanks to the author, publisher and NetGalley for enabling me to read and share my thoughts.

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The Killer's Mark (Washington Poe #8) M.W. Craven

Blurb:

"A MONSTER. A MOTHER. A MURDER?

When Vice Admiral Boyer, RN (retd) died without leaving a will, his estranged daughter inherited his – not inconsiderable – estate. Called home to sort through his belongings, she found an AegisBox – a tamper proof safe within a safe designed to self-destruct if anyone without the code attempts to open it. Unable to walk away without the truth, she uncovered something so horrifying it launched the biggest investigation in the National Crime Agency’s history. Five years later, Washington Poe is unwittingly, and unwillingly, sucked into its gravity…

Finally able to escape the authority they railed against, Washington Poe and Tilly Bradshaw are enjoying their new jobs as private detectives or – as the sign on their door says – ‘Gumshoes for Hire’. When a teenage girl walks into their office, looking for the mother she long believed to be dead, they agree to take the case. As Poe and Tilly investigate the girl’s claims, they find themselves drawn into a murky world of trafficking, pornography and prostitution. Will they be able to help the girl find her mother, or will the dark forces at work, who will stop at nothing to protect themselves, get there first…"

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Absolute masterclass in crime fiction! 

I have been following Washington Poe and Tilly Bradshaw for a while now somehow we've got to book eight in this series which you would think might start to become a little stale, but not so by a long way.

This time around Poe and Tilly have left the NCA behind to set up their own private detective gig – complete with a sign on the door declaring themselves "Gumshoes for Hire".  Poe's hoping for a quiet life but that all vanishes when a feisty fifteen year old girl, Esmerée, walks through the door.  She wants them to find her mother, someone she believed was dead until seeing her alive in a video online.  What starts as a straightforward missing persons inquiry quickly spirals into a dark, complex case involving Chinese triads, corruption and lethal secrets that threaten to pull everyone under.

The plot is brilliantly constructed with twists that hit when you least expect them.  Craven handles some heavy themes here but the trademark banter between Poe and Tilly provides that perfect, laugh out loud light in the darkness.  Seeing Tilly step up and take charge in certain parts of this investigation was fantastic, and the dynamic between the two of them is as brilliant as ever.

If you're looking for a fast paced thriller, trust me, you won't be able to put this down.

My thanks to M W Craven, Little, Brown Book Group and NetGalley for enabling me to read and share my thoughts of this, another fantastic addition to a brilliant series.

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Fractured Dawn (Mackenzie Reynolds #2) by D.V. Berkom

✴✴✴ Expected publication 16 September 2026 ✴✴✴

Description from Goodreads:

"Some conspiracies threaten governments. This one threatens everyone she loves.

When elite close protection operative Mackenzie "Mac" Reynolds learns her father didn't die in a Bangkok bombing three years ago, everything she thought she knew shatters.

A captured CIA asset delivers an impossible Chase Reynolds is alive and has gone to ground while he hunts a rogue intelligence network powerful enough to manipulate governments from the shadows.

Following a trail across Central Europe, Mac and her mentor, former Special Forces operator Jackson Jones, uncover Project Eclipse, a deadly conspiracy run by ruthless arms broker Victor Hale. With assassins closing in and allies becoming suspects, every move could be their last.

To stop a global catastrophe, Mac must decide who she can trust—including the CIA officer who also happens to be her mother.

Because if Hale succeeds, nations will fall.

And Mac may lose the last chance she has to save her father."

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An absolute belter of a second book

After reading False Dawn, I couldn't wait to see what D.V. Berkom had in store for Mackenzie Reynolds next, and this second instalment certainly didn't disappoint.

This time around, Mac finds out that her father might actually still be alive after a bomb blast in Bangkok three years ago. That revelation throws her straight into a deadly hunt across Central Europe alongside her trusted mentor, Jackson. Between rogue intelligence networks, relentless assassins and a shadowy plot called Project Eclipse, the stakes feel even higher than in the first book.

Mac is such a brilliantly written character – tough, smart and completely uncompromising, but still human enough that you're rooting for her on every single page. The dynamics between the characters are fantastic this time too. I loved the inclusion of Harry and also watching the relationship develop between Mac and Nick, which adds a really great personal dynamic amongst all the chaos. Plus, bringing her estranged CIA mother into the mix creates an extra layer of family drama that keeps you hooked.

The pacing is non-stop from the very beginning. The action sequences are gripping, the twists keep you on your toes and the European settings are so vividly described that you feel right in the middle of the chaos. If you love fast-paced, high-octane thrillers with a fierce female lead, you're going to love this. D.V. Berkom has delivered another absolute cracker, and I'm already desperate to see where Mac's journey goes next.

Once again, thank you to D.V for accepting me as a member her ARTeam and for enabling me to read and share my thoughts of Fractured Dawn and my hungry eyes can't wait to read the next!

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The Campervan Detectives: A Camper Van Detective Mystery Book 1 by Maeve Haran [Audiobook]

🎙🎙🎙 Narrated by Fenella Fudge 🎙🎙🎙

Description from Goodreads:

"Fearless, feisty and at the wheel of her bright orange campervan, newly-single Sadie is about to enter a new era… as a detective?!

It’s never too late for a second chance, and when Sadie Sutton’s marriage implodes spectacularly, she jumps into her vintage VW campervan and heads for the twisty cobbled streets and sea views of her childhood in the little seaside town of Winching. But her fresh start comes to an abrupt stop when she trips over a dead body, turning an ordinary walk with her faithful dog Sam Spade into a murder investigation!

Having failed to stop a balaclava-wearing suspect disappearing from the scene into the night, Sadie can’t help but take matters into her own hands. The victim, retired headmistress Charlotte Woolf, was well known around Winching for her sharp tongue – rumours suggest she was particularly disliked by her own husband! But he swears he doesn’t even like killing snails by mistake…

With the enthusiastic help of three women at the campsite who have all embraced Van Life, Sadie starts sleuthing. Who was sending Charlotte anonymous bunches of flowers that had her rattled? Do the members of the local sea swimming club hold a vital clue? Sadie and her friends are on the right track… until their prime suspect ends up dead in his garden shed!

Can Sadie get to the root of the problem and stop the killer before the next person is buried? Or will her fresh new chapter end with her driving her campervan back the way she came?"

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A charming cozy mystery with fantastic audio narration

I like reading a cozy mystery every now and then as a step away from what I normally read, so this was a lovely change of pace for me! The story follows Sadie Sutton, who, after her marriage implodes, buys a vintage orange VW campervan and heads off to the seaside town of Winching with her dog Sam Spade. Her fresh start takes an unexpected turn when she stumbles across the dead body of her old, sharp-tongued headmistress, Charlotte Woolf. Before long, Sadie teams up with three fellow van-lifers at the campsite – Rose, Amanda and Tina – to do a bit of amateur sleuthing. 

Listening to the audiobook was an absolute treat, especially thanks to the brilliant narrator, Fenella Fudge. She brought the characters to life so vividly, giving each person their own distinct personality and catching the warmth, wit and dry humour of the story perfectly. Her performance made it so easy to get swept up in the journey as Sadie and her new campsite friends set out to solve the crime.  

The plot itself is quite lighthearted and gentle, which made for a really relaxing listen. It does take a little while for the murder mystery to get properly moving as we spend time getting to know the lead characters, their backstories and campsite life, but once the investigation gets going, it is a thoroughly enjoyable ride.  

Overall, it's a great escapist listen. I will definitely be looking out for the next instalment in the series!  

Thank you to the author, publisher and NetGalley for enabling me to listen to and share my honest thoughts. 

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The Children on the Train by Anna Stuart

Description from Goodreads:

"November 1938, Germany. Grete guides two small children onto the train. Placing her arms protectively around their shoulders, she prays the journey is uneventful because she must get six-year-old Adele and eight-year-old Rosa out of Germany…

Grete always longed to be a mother, but it never happened for her so, as the clouds of war gather over Europe, she’s devoting her time to helping Jewish children escape the Nazis. She remembers the face of every single child she’s taken on trains to freedom in the Netherlands. The danger increases with each trip, but, today, she has to get her best friend’s children to safety, because they are closest thing she has to family.

But at the border, the train screeches to a halt and she hears the shout of a Nazi guard. Then the sound of boots coming towards their carriage. When the door bursts open, she draws herself up tall, and prepares to face the interrogation she knows will come. With shaking hands, she passes over Rosa and Adele’s tattered papers and hopes they aren’t scrutinised too closely.

Grete is ready to do whatever it takes to keep her small charges safe…"

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An incredible story that blew me away  Having previously read and thoroughly enjoyed The Midwife of Auschwitz by Anna Stuart, I couldn't wait to pick up her latest release. Safe to say, she has done it again! This was an emotional, gripping and moving story that pulled me in right from the very first page.  

What really stood out for me was the unbelievable bravery of Grete and Helena, and the constant danger they put themselves in every single day. Before reading this, I had never heard of Geertruida "Truus" Wijsmuller-Meijer (Grete), which I think is a total scandal. This lady should be just as famous as Sir Nicholas Winton, and someone needs to make a film about her! The sheer peril she put herself in to escort children across borders and stand up to Nazi officials took my breath away. She was such a practical, no-nonsense matriarch who used her sheer tenacity and gift of words to save lives.  

Helena was another absolutely amazing character who completely stole my heart. Facing growing persecution in Germany while trying to keep her family safe, her inner strength was unbelievable. It was so heartbreaking to see her accompany children on the train transports, knowing she had to keep returning to Nazi Germany time and again for fear of jeopardising the whole operation and putting her own family in increasing danger. 

It's a heavy subject, but Anna Stuart brings so much warmth and humanity to the story that you just can't put it down.  Although this is a work of fiction, Truus and many of the events and experiences depicted are based on real life, which makes the whole reading experience even more poignant. 

If you enjoy historical fiction that packs an emotional punch and highlights true unsung heroes, I can't recommend this enough. 

A huge thank you to Anna Stuart, the publisher and NetGalley for providing me with a copy to read and share my honest thoughts. 

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You Never Said Goodbye by Luca Veste

Description from Goodreads:

"A DEVOTED MOTHER

Sam Cooper has a happy life: a good job, a blossoming relationship. Yet, there's something he can never forget - the image seared into his mind of his mother, Laurie, dying when he was a child. His father allowed his grief to tear them apart and Sam hasn't seen him in years.

A LOVING WIFE

Until an unexpected call from Firwood hospital, asking Sam to come home, puts in motion a chain of devastating events. On his deathbed, Sam's father makes a shocking confession.

A LIAR?

Who was Laurie Cooper? It's clear that everything Sam thought he knew about his mother was wrong. And now he's determined to find out exactly what she did and why - whatever the cost.

What happens if you discover you've been lied to by your own family for twenty-five years?

Sam Cooper is about to find out."

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A fast paced chase with an interesting premise but too many gaps

This is another book that has been sitting patiently on my to-be-read pile since 2022 and I have finally got round to reading it now! 

The story kicks off with Sam, whose life is completely upended when his wife is murdered and he becomes the prime suspect. To make things even crazier, he discovers that his mother – who he thought died in a car crash when he was a child – might actually still be alive. He ends up going on the run across America to find out the truth while fleeing the police and some very dangerous people.

It starts off with a massive bang and the initial hook is fantastic. The pacing is incredibly fast and it genuinely feels like a frantic high-stakes chase movie. If you want something action-packed that keeps moving from city to city, the momentum here definitely delivers on that front.

However, as the chase went on, I struggled a bit with the plausibility of it all. Sam manages to pull off some unbelievable escapes, and a lot of the plot relies on huge coincidences that stretched my layout of belief a bit too far. Some of the twists toward the end felt quite convoluted and I was left with a few too many unanswered questions about how everything connected. It is a decent, fast-paced thriller if you can switch your brain off and just enjoy the ride, but it did not quite hit the mark for me.

A big thank you to the author, the publisher and NetGalley for enabling me to read and share my thoughts.

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One of Us is Guilty (Eddie Flynn #10) by Steve Cavanagh

🔥🔥🔥 On Sale: 30 July 2026 🔥🔥🔥

Description from Goodreads:

"A PERFECT COUPLE.

BUT ONE OF THEM IS A KILLER. WHICH ONE?

Patrick Vanderpool, son of a billionaire media mogul, is destined for power. But the affair he's having could ruin everything.

Vanessa Vanderpool, married to one of America's most influential men, has her own ambitions. But the affair he's having could ruin everything.

When the other woman is found brutally murdered, there are only two suspects...

One of them is guilty. But which one?

Conman turned defence lawyer Eddie Flynn must risk his life to find out..."

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Another absolute masterclass

Steve Cavanagh has done it again!

I have been following the Eddie Flynn series for a while, and reaching book ten in a series can sometimes feel like a risk, but this one completely delivers. If you have read any of the previous books, you will know Eddie is one of the most compelling protagonists around and his latest outing is right up there with his  best. If you haven't, give your head a wobble and put that right by getting one now! You don't have to start at the beginning as each one works well as a standalone – however, I would recommend it for the character history and development.

The setup for this one is brilliant and gets moving straight away. Patrick Vanderpool – the ambitious son of a (horrible) media mogul – is having an affair with a woman named Molly Green. His wife Vanessa follows him to Molly's apartment not best pleased as you can imagine. When Molly is brutally murdered inside, both husband and wife are left standing as the main suspects. They both had access, they both had a strong motive and they both have massive secrets to hide. Eddie Flynn is tasked with defending Vanessa but in doing so, he puts himself, his friends and his family in the firing line although, in truth, he doesn't have much of a choice.

What I love about Steve Cavanagh's writing is how seamlessly he blends legal courtroom maneuvering with fast, clever con-man tricks. The pacing is relentless from the start, with short chapters that make it far too easy to keep reading just one more. The Vanderpool family dynamic is brilliantly sinister, and Eddie's team are fantastic and brilliantly loyal.

If you enjoy high-octane legal thrillers or just an incredibly fun crime series, this is a must-read. Eddie and his team remain absolute favourites of mine and I cannot wait to see what comes next. 

A huge thank you to the author, publisher and NetGalley for enabling me to read and share my thoughts of this, the latest in what is an excellent series.

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A Flicker in the Dark by Stacy Willingham

Description from Goodreads:

"When Chloe Davis was twelve, six teenage girls went missing in her small Louisiana town. By the end of the summer, her own father had confessed to the crimes and was put away for life, leaving Chloe and the rest of her family to grapple with the truth and try to move forward while dealing with the aftermath.

Now twenty years later, Chloe is a psychologist in Baton Rouge and getting ready for her wedding. While she finally has a fragile grasp on the happiness she’s worked so hard to achieve, she sometimes feels as out of control of her own life as the troubled teens who are her patients. So when a local teenage girl goes missing, and then another, that terrifying summer comes crashing back. Is she paranoid, seeing parallels from her past that aren't actually there, or for the second time in her life, is Chloe about to unmask a killer?"

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A slow burning thriller that relies heavily on a familiar formula

This one has been sitting patiently on my to-be-read pile since 2022 and I have only just got round to reading it now!

The story introduces us to Chloe, whose father confessed to murdering several teenage girls when she was a child. Twenty years later, she is working as a psychologist when local girls start disappearing again, triggering all her old trauma and paranoia. It is a really interesting premise that hooks you early on, especially exploring the psychological impact of her past.

The atmosphere is quite thick and moody, which fits the Southern gothic setting well. Chloe is a deeply flawed and anxious narrator, which adds to the tension because you are never entirely sure if what she is seeing is real or just fueled by her past trauma and medication. The pacing does drag quite a bit in the middle section though. It felt like a lot of time was spent inside Chloe's head repeating the same doubts, which slowed down the momentum of the mystery.

My main issue was that the plot felt a bit predictable if you read a lot of psychological thrillers. A few of the twists were easy to spot ahead of time, and the final resolution wrapped up a bit too conveniently. It is a decent debut mystery that keeps you turning pages, but it just lacked that extra spark to make it stand out from the crowd.

A big thank you to the author, the publisher and NetGalley for enabling me to read and share my thoughts.

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