The Shadow Step (Detective Miller #3) by Mark Billingham

🔥🔥🔥 Due to be published 2 July 2026 🔥🔥🔥

Description from Goodreads:

"Detective Miller is back and investigating his most perplexing case yet

The Shadow One taken simultaneously by a pair of dancers facing the same direction, one of them behind and slightly shifted leftwards ("in the shadow")

A perfectly executed shadow step demonstrates synchronized elegance. It showcases a couple in near telepathic harmony with one another. It does not normally end with someone stone-dead in a lake.

DS Declan Miller is a magnet for strange cases, but an innocent man confessing to the crime? That’s a first. Things rapidly escalate when the murder that isn’t really a murder attracts the unwanted attention of a drug Queenpin, a deranged ex-squaddie, and a lovesick gangland enforcer. And when a real murder follows – and a student is kidnapped – all evidence points back to the same innocent man.

Throw in a wobbly dog, a pair of ceramic leopards, and the distracting smell from a biscuit factory, and Miller’s only option to save a young man’s life is to waltz all the way into the shadows."

📚📚📚📚📚📚

A brilliantly funny and gripping mystery that kept me completely glued to my sun lounger

As a fan of Mark Billingham, I was absolutely buzzing to get stuck into this third instalment of the Detective Miller series. I actually haven't read the first two books in this series yet – I must have been asleep or living on the moon to completely miss them! – but I am pleased to say that didn't affect my experience at all because it works brilliantly as a standalone. I recently took this on holiday with me and ended up reading the entire thing in just over a day. I was completely engrossed and totally ignored everything else going on around me.

DS Declan Miller finds himself landed with an incredibly bizarre puzzle. A man walks in and confesses to a murder, but it is totally obvious that he is completely innocent. Before long, everything spirals into pure chaos involving a gangland queenpin, a very eccentric mix of suspects and a kidnapping. Oh, and you can also expect appearances from a wonderfully wobbly dog and some rather memorable ceramic leopards!

Declan Miller is such a unique character. Honestly, I would absolutely hate to work with him in real life because he is a tad immature, constantly cracking jokes at the wrong moment and downright annoying to his colleagues. Yet, that is exactly what makes him such a joy to read. He brings so many genuine laugh out loud moments to the story, balancing out the gritty, dark nature of the actual crime investigation with his wit.

The plot moves at a fantastic pace and keeps you guessing as the tension ramps up. Mark Billingham is a master at weaving together a complex police procedural while keeping the tone incredibly entertaining and full of heart. It is a perfect five-star read for me.

Many thanks to the author, Little, Brown Book Group and NetGalley for enabling me to read and indulge myself in yet another cracker from Mr Billingham.

📚📚📚📚📚📚

The Collector (Eden Cross #1) by Bill Duncan and Catherine Lee [Audiobook]

🎙🎙🎙 Narrated by Louise Giavas 🎙🎙🎙

Description from Goodreads:

"Ten years ago, her best friend vanished. Now, she’s back to uncover the truth—and a killer is watching.

For FBI Special Agent Eden Cross, returning to Adamstown isn’t a homecoming—it’s a reckoning. Still haunted by the night Morgan disappeared without a trace, Eden has spent too many days chasing ghosts.

But now, human remains have surfaced in the abandoned Raven’s Lake Mine, and Eden is done waiting for answers.

Lurking in the shadows is a predator known as The Collector—meticulous, patient, and always watching. For years, he has hunted in silence, choosing his victims carefully. And now, Eden’s search has put her in his sights.

As she follows the trail of a killer who has remained hidden for too long, the past begins to unravel in ways she never expected. But in a town where everyone has secrets, the truth is more terrifying than she ever imagined—and someone will do anything to keep it buried."

🎧📚🎧📚🎧📚🎧

A gripping and atmospheric start to a new crime series

I am always on the hunt for a good new serial killer thriller to sink my teeth into and this first book in the Eden Cross series completely delivered on the tension. It is dark, fast-paced and kept me listening way longer than I should have done!

The story follows FBI Special Agent Eden Cross as she returns to her hometown of Adamstown – not for a happy reunion, but because human remains have been discovered in an abandoned mine. The discovery ties directly into the disappearance of her best friend a decade ago. At the same time, an incredibly meticulous and patient predator known as The Collector is lurking in the shadows, and Eden quickly finds herself right in his sights as the past begins to unravel.  

I listened to the audiobook version of this one and I am so glad I did because Louise Giavas was fantastic. She did the voices really well, bringing a distinct sense of personality to the characters and ramping up the atmospheric, creepy vibes of the town perfectly.

The plot itself is a brilliant slow-burn procedural that builds up a massive amount of suspense as Eden tries to piece everything together while dealing with a town full of secrets.

The only reason it didn't quite hit top marks for me is that some of the thriller tropes felt a bit familiar if you read a lot of crime fiction, and I would have liked just a touch more development on the secondary team members. It is a minor niggle though, because the central cat-and-mouse game between Eden and the killer is brilliantly executed and left me eager to see where the series goes next. 

If you enjoy tense, gritty investigative thrillers with an excellent narrator, this is definitely one to pick up.

Many thanks to the authors, Bolinda Audio and NetGalley for enabling me to listen to and share my thoughts on this, the start of a new series.

🎧📚🎧📚🎧📚🎧

Fatal by Jacqui Rose

Description from Goodreads:

"An eye for an eye.

Cabhan Morton wants to leave the Russo crime family for good and live in peace with his daughter, Alice Rose. But the Russos won’t let him walk away without a fight.

A tooth for a tooth.

Franny Doyle would do anything for Cabhan and Alice, but helping them escape the vindictive Russo brothers won’t be easy. The only place they’ll be safe is back in Essex with Alfie Jennings.

A daughter for a daughter…

Franny knows she won’t be welcomed by Alfie with open arms – but she doesn’t have a choice. The Russos are out for blood and they won’t stop until Alice is dead…"

📚📚📚📚📚📚

A gripping story of secrets and betrayal

I've finally ticked this one off my list after it's been sitting on my to-be-read pile since 2019! Fatal by Jacqui Rose is a gritty, fast-paced thriller that pulls you straight into a world of crime and complicated family ties. I haven't read anything by this author before, but I've heard good things and can't believe it's taken me so long to finally get around to it.

The story follows some really intense characters and I found myself caught up in the drama right from the start. There are plenty of twists and turns that kept me turning the pages late into the night. It's one of those books where the past always has a way of catching up with the present in the most explosive way possible.

If you're a fan of gangland fiction that doesn't pull its punches, you'll definitely want to give this a go. There was a tiny niggle with the pacing in the middle, but honestly, it didn't take away from the overall experience. The characters are well-developed and the dialogue feels very real and grounded. It's a solid, engaging read that fans of this genre will thoroughly enjoy and it won't be the last one I pick up by this author. 

Huge thanks to the author, the publisher and NetGalley for enabling me to read and eventually get around to sharing my thoughts of this book.

📚📚📚📚📚📚

Reich to Israel by Avi Strauss

Description:

"In Germany, Hans Weingart was more interested in philosophy and sports than politics. But when Adolf Hitler and the Nazis rose to power, everything changed. His Jewish friends, their community, and the woman he loved were stripped of their rights, arrested, and forced to flee. As the Third Reich tightened its grip across Nazi Germany and demanded loyalty, Hans made a choice he believed would keep him alive. It was a decision that would change him forever.

At Auschwitz, where he served as a guard surrounded by cruelty and death, Hans learned how easily decency could be silenced. With each order he followed, he drifted further from the man he once was and deeper into the Nazi war machine. Yet even in that place of darkness, brief moments of humanity broke through, reminding him of what he had lost and who he had betrayed.

When World War II ended, Hans vanished, evading justice under a false name aboard a Jewish refugee ship bound for British-controlled Palestine. Living among Holocaust survivors and those he once helped oppress, he began a new life, hoping that helping build their future homeland of Israel might atone for his past. But can anyone ever outrun the past and keep their secrets buried forever?

Reich to Israel is a sweeping work of Holocaust historical fiction about guilt, survival, moral compromise, and the weight of complicity in the aftermath of unimaginable evil. It explores identity, love, and the difficult search for redemption. For readers of The Tattooist of Auschwitz, The Nightingale, and We Were the Lucky Ones, this powerful World War II novel asks whether a man who became part of darkness can ever truly confront the harm he caused or whether the burden of his past can ever be escaped. A compelling choice for readers and book clubs drawn to moral conflict, reckoning, and the enduring consequences of history."

📚📚📚📚📚📚

A deeply moving and thought-provoking historical novel

This was an incredibly intense and difficult book to read, but I am so glad I picked it up. I recently read another historical fiction book and was looking for something that would really challenge me, and this one absolutely did. It's a sweeping story that follows Hans Weingart, a German man who is more interested in philosophy than politics, but everything changes fast when Hitler rises to power.

The story grapples with some massive, heavy themes around guilt, moral compromise, and whether redemption is actually possible after being complicit in unimaginable evil. Watching how the characters change as Nazi Germany shifts overnight is fascinating, especially when Hans sees his Jewish friends and the woman he loves stripped of their rights. It leaves you with so many difficult questions about identity and survival that I found myself pausing after chapters just to process it all.

The narrative feels deeply emotional and the historical details are very well researched. It's a slow-burn book that really forces you to think about human nature and the weight of actions during wartime. My only minor niggle is that the pacing can feel a bit uneven during some of the more reflective parts, but it honestly didn't take away from how powerful the overall journey is.

Many thanks to the author and NetGalley for enabling me to read and share my thoughts of this thought-provoking book.

📚📚📚📚📚📚

One of the Family by Mark Edwards

Description from Goodreads:

"One of the family is dead.

One of the family is missing.

And one of the family might just be the killer...

Patrick couldn’t believe his luck when Holly fell for him. She’s wickedly funny, beautiful, and with an intimidatingly successful father, Charles.

So when she invites him to Charles’ mansion for a New Year’s break in Scotland, all he’s hoping is that they’ll accept him as one of the family.

But everything feels a little off. Whispers in hallways. Rumours of a body that got found nearby the previous year. And something very strange about Charles’ new girlfriend.

Every family has secrets, and Patrick tells himself all he needs to do is survive the next few days.

But then the first body is found, and Patrick realises that all he needs to do is survive the next few days…"

📚📚📚📚📚📚

A claustrophobic and twisty trip to the Scottish Highlands

Having only read one of Mark Edwards' books before, I was really looking forward to seeing what his latest thriller would be like. His writing style hooked me last time and I am pleased to say this one kept me just as glued to the pages.

The story follows Patrick, who is heading up to a remote mansion in Scotland for a New Year's break to meet his girlfriend Holly's family for the first time. As if meeting her intimidatingly successful dad wasn't stressful enough, the siblings are all on edge because their father has just introduced his new fiancée. To make things way creepier, she is the exact same age as them and looks just like their late mother. Throw in heavy snowstorms, isolated surroundings, whispers of a frozen body found nearby and a family full of unlikable snakes, and you have the perfect recipe for total paranoia.

The opening line sets the tone well and I loved how the atmosphere builds up, making you second-guess absolutely everyone. Patrick often feels like a bit of an observer while everyone else is sniping at each other, but watching the chaos unravel around him was genuinely addictive. 

The final section gets incredibly chaotic with so many different strings of the story coming together at once. It feels a bit rushed and frantic compared to the slow-burn tension of the rest of the book, which is a minor niggle because the twists at the end definitely delivered.

Many thanks to the author, Michael Joseph, Penguin Random House and NetGalley for enabling me to read and share my thoughts of this book.

📚📚📚📚📚📚

Heads You Win by Jeffrey Archer

Description from Goodreads:

"Leningrad, Russia, 1968. 

From an early age it is clear that Alexander Karpenko is destined to lead his countrymen. But when his father is assassinated by the KGB for defying the state, Alexander and his mother will have to escape Russia if they hope to survive. At the docks, they have an irreversible choice: board a container ship bound for America or one bound for Great Britain. Alexander leaves the choice to a toss of a coin . . .

In a single moment, a double twist decides Alexander’s future. During an epic tale, spanning two continents and thirty years, we follow Alexander through triumph and defeat as he sets out on parallel lives, as Alex in New York and Sasha in London. As this unique story unfolds, both come to realize that to find their destiny they must face the past they left behind as Alexander in Russia."

📚📚📚📚📚📚

Heads you win

I haven't picked up a Jeffrey Archer book since reading Kane and Abel years ago. I absolutely loved that one, so I'm not sure why this has been sat on my virtual shelf gathering digital dust since 2018! I'm really glad I finally got around to it though.

The story starts in 1960's Russia with Alexander Karpenko. After a family tragedy, he has to make a split-second decision at the docks: board a ship to America or one to the UK. Archer does something really clever by showing us both lives playing out in alternating chapters. We follow Alex in New York and Sasha in London. It could've been confusing, but it’s handled well enough that I always knew which version of the story I was in.

It’s a proper "what if" tale. Both versions of his life are full of the political and business drama you’d expect from this author. I found myself rooting for both characters, even though they’re technically the same person. It’s a bit of a chunky read, but the pace is good and I zipped through it quickly once I got into the rhythm.

The ending is definitely going to be a talking point. I won’t give anything away, but it’s one of those that makes you want to go back and look for clues you might've missed. While some parts felt a bit far-fetched, it didn't take away from the journey. It reminded me why I liked his writing in the first place - he really knows how to tell a story that keeps you turning pages. 

Huge thanks to the author, the publisher and NetGalley for the opportunity to read and share my thoughts of this book.

📚📚📚📚📚📚

No Way Out (Josie Chapman #2) by Max Connor; Neil Lancaster

Description from Goodreads:

"For her latest mission, British Intelligence operative Josie Chapman lands in California. Beneath the sun-soaked boulevards and rolling hills lurks a sprawling network of organised crime.

Posing as a climbing instructor, Josie infiltrates the operation and uncovers the staggering extent of its power and corruption. At its core is Franco Tondino, ruthless crime boss known as ‘The Director’, whose influence snakes through every level of authority, from local police to high-ranking officials.

How much is Josie willing to sacrifice to outwit a criminal empire that stops at nothing to protect its secrets? While failure means certain ruin, success could come at a devastating cost…"

📚📚📚📚📚📚

An absolute cracker of a thriller

I absolutely love reading Neil Lancaster's Max Craigie series, so when I saw that this one was written under his pseudonym of Max Connor, there was no way I was going to miss out. Once again, he really doesn't disappoint.

I actually haven't read the first book in this Josie Chapman series – I'm really not sure how or why that managed to pass me by – but I don't think it affected my enjoyment or understanding of this one at all. It works perfectly well as a standalone, though it has definitely made me want to go back and grab the first one.

Josie is a brilliant main character and I took to her straight away. She's incredibly well-drawn, stubborn and easy to root for. She's brave but reckless meaning some of the decisions she makes are questionable but I like her.  The rest of the cast are just as good, with fantastic dynamics and I'm really looking forward to getting to know them all a bit more as the series progresses.

The plot itself is quite a disturbing story, dealing with some heavy themes, but unfortunately it's an all too familiar one in this day and age. It's handled really well, with loads action and tension. I was completely hooked from the start and couldn't put it down.

I loved it and I already can't wait for the next instalment. I can easily see this becoming just as good a series as the Max Craigie books. If you enjoy a gritty, fast-paced thriller that keeps you on the edge of your seat, you'll definitely want to add this to your list. 

A huge thank you to the author, HQ and NetGalley for enabling me to read and share my thoughts of this excellent book.

📚📚📚📚📚📚

Exit by Belinda Bauer

Description from Goodreads:

"IT WAS NEVER SUPPOSED TO BE MURDER ...Pensioner Felix Pink is about to find out that it’s never too late ... for life to go horribly wrong.

When Felix lets himself in to Number 3 Black Lane, he’s there to perform an act of kindness and charity: to keep a dying man company as he takes his final breath ... But just fifteen minutes later Felix is on the run from the police – after making the biggest mistake of his life.

Now his routine world is turned upside down as he tries to discover what went wrong, while staying one step ahead of the law."

📚📚📚📚📚📚

A quirky and surprisingly heart-warming mystery

It’s such a good feeling to finally clear some space on my Kindle! I’ve had this one sitting in my to-be-read collection gathering way too much dust since 2021, but I’m really glad I finally made the time for it. Exit is such an unusual and refreshing take on a crime novel.

The story follows Felix, a seventy-five-year-old man who belongs to a group called the Exiteers, who sit with terminally ill people to make sure they aren't alone when they pass away. Things go horribly wrong during one of his visits, and suddenly Felix is on the run, convinced he’s committed a crime. It sounds quite dark, but it’s actually surprisingly funny and very moving in places.

I absolutely loved Felix as a character. He’s so well-drawn and endearing, and his perspective on the world brought a lot of heart to the story. The mystery itself is clever, but what really kept me reading was the mix of quirky humour and the more poignant moments. It’s not your typical gritty thriller, which I found really refreshing.

The only reason it’s not a full five stars for me is that the middle part of the book felt a little bit drawn out, and there were a couple of subplots that didn't feel quite as tight as the main story. However, it’s a very clever, compassionate and entertaining read that I’d definitely recommend if you want a mystery with a bit of a difference. 

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

📚📚📚📚📚📚

Burning Secrets by Michelle Dunne

Description from Publisher:

"There was no point in telling them about the others. Not when it was already too late. Or at least, it would be by the time they found them.

The world discounted Sadie Kingston years ago, right around the time her parents died. They think she’s crazy, but actually, she’s one of the chosen few.

Sadie can see peoples’ demons you see. They glow in different colours, all around the person they torment. Some are mild and sad – teal, green, yellow – while others are filled with rage and pain – red. Always red.

But as Sadie tries to survive in a world that won’t listen, she knows there will come a time when she’ll be forced to act. If the people around her won’t wake up and see what’s happening under their noses, then it will fall to her to show them the truth…"

📚📚📚📚📚📚

A slow burn that didn't quite catch fire

I was really looking forward to sinking my teeth into this one because I read The Good Girl by Michelle Dunne earlier this year and absolutely loved it. That book had me completely hooked from the start, so I had high hopes for Burning Secrets. Sadly, it just didn't grip me in the same way and it felt like a bit of a struggle to get through at times.

The premise sounded brilliant and there is no denying that the author knows how to set a dark, atmospheric scene. It starts off with plenty of promise, but the pacing just felt far too slow for my liking. I kept waiting for that big spark to kick things into high gear but the tension seemed to fizzle out rather than build up.

I think part of the issue for me was that I struggled to really connect with the characters. When a thriller relies heavily on secrets and lies, you need to feel invested in the people keeping them, but I just found myself feeling a bit detached from it all. It is definitely a slow burn, which I know lots of readers enjoy, but I prefer a plot that moves at a slightly nippier pace.

It is by no means a bad book and the writing itself is very good, but after enjoying her previous work so much, this one was a bit of a let-down for me. If you prefer psychological thrillers that take their time unfolding, then this might be right up your street, but it just wasn't quite my cup of tea.

Many thanks to the author, Boldwood Books and NetGalley for enabling me to read and share my thoughts of this book.

📚📚📚📚📚📚

Macbeth by Jo Nesbo

Description from Goodreads:

"Set in a dark, rainy northern town, Nesbo's Macbeth pits the ambitions of a corrupt policeman against loyal colleagues, a drug-depraved underworld and the pull of childhood friendships."

📚📚📚📚📚📚

A gritty take on a classic

I've had this book sitting on my to-be-read pile since 2018 and I'm slowly, slowly getting through it! This is part of the Hogarth Shakespeare series where modern authors re-imagine the classics, and Jo Nesbo’s choice of Macbeth felt like a perfect match for his usual dark, noir style.

The setting is a rain-soaked, crumbling industrial town in the 1970's which really works for the atmosphere. Instead of kings and thistles, we've got corrupt police forces, drug lords and SWAT teams. Macbeth himself is the head of a tactical unit and Lady is a casino owner. It's definitely a clever way to translate the original power struggles into a world of crime and addiction.

However, I found it a bit of a slog in places. At over 500 pages, it feels far too long for the story it's trying to tell. While I liked the gritty vibe, the pacing often dipped and I found myself losing interest during some of the more drawn-out descriptions. It captures the "darkness" well, but it doesn't quite have the emotional punch or tight suspense I was expecting.

It’s a decent enough read if you’re a fan of the author or if you're interested in Shakespearean re-tellings, but it didn't quite blow me away. It does what it says on the tin - a dark, rainy crime thriller - but it lacks that special something to make it truly memorable for me.

Huge thanks to the author, the publisher and NetGalley for enabling me to read and share my thoughts of this book.

📚📚📚📚📚📚

The Girl with Two Names by Imogen Matthews

Description from Goodreads:

"She smooths her light blue coat with trembling hands as a man approaches. ‘Felix?’ he says, and she nods. ‘We weren’t expecting a girl.’ He smiles, but panic grips her throat at what he says next. ‘Whoever you are, you’ve been betrayed…’

1943, Nazi-occupied Holland. Turning up her collar against the wind, Trix prepares for her rendezvous. Hidden in the bottom of her bag are coded instructions from the British Special Operations Executive and a silk handkerchief, secretly printed with a map of her next meeting point. She knows working for the Dutch resistance is dangerous, but she must put her past behind her and become someone new… someone brave.

Trix’s friends think she’s a secretary – they can never know the truth. Living a double life is desperately lonely, but the longer she goes under her alias, Felix, the more comfortable she becomes with this new version of one who will stand up for what is right, and fight for those who can’t. That is, until the warm brown eyes of a pilot from her past spark hope for a life after the war.

But when she’s ambushed and imprisoned by German soldiers posing as men from the Dutch resistance, Trix must lean on everything she’s learnt if she’s going to survive and grasp her chance at love. 

These soldiers see her as just a woman. But is that her greatest weapon? In war, often it’s those we underestimate the most who have the power to change everything…"

📚📚📚📚📚📚

An incredibly compelling story 

I've been a huge fan of Imogen Matthews for quite a while now, so I always look forward to diving into her historical fiction.  I knew I was in for something special and I wasn't disappointed.  This book is grounded heavily in facts and inspired by the remarkable true story of a real woman, which made the entire reading experience feel so much more poignant.

The story follows Trix, a former KLM flight attendant who decides she can't just sit back and accept the Nazi occupation. She joins the resistance as a courier and secretary before training in Britain with the Special Operations Executive, taking on the dangerous alias of Felix. It's an incredibly intense setup and knowing that Trix was a real person navigating these terrifying risks made it all the more gripping.  When she's ambushed by German soldiers posing as the resistance, the tension peaks and you genuinely feel the isolation and danger of her double life.

What really set this book apart for me was the sheer scope of Trix's journey and how much she had to endure. The second half of the book gets heavy as the story follows her through the horrors of Ravensbrück and Mauthausen concentration camps. It's a difficult read at times but the focus remains on the human spirit, showing how these women pulled together to survive. 

If you love well-researched World War Two fiction that shines a light on real-life bravery and the power of hope in the darkest places, you  need to add this to your list. It's a gripping, emotional and unforgettable tribute to an extraordinary woman.

Many thanks to the author, Bookouture and NetGalley for enabling me to read and share my thoughts of this remarkable story.

📚📚📚📚📚📚

This Weekend Doesn't End Well For Anyone by Catherine Mack

Description from Goodreads:

"Eleanor Dash can never catch a break. Not only has she had to solve two real-life murder plots in the past year, but both times it was when she was meant to be on vacation. Now she’s finally got a ticket to a relaxing weekend—an all-inclusive resort at the Bahamas where she’s speaking at a conference for murder mystery writers—but she arrives to find a body on the floor of her hotel room. Because of course she does.

With plenty of familiar faces at the resort, any one of them could have been the intended target or the culprit behind it all. Was it Oliver Forrest, Eleanor’s dashing boyfriend who’s in danger of getting dropped by his publisher because his sales are dwindling? Or Connor Smith, Eleanor’s infuriating ex-lover-turned-bestselling-rom-com-author with a sordid past of his own? Or her sister Harper, whose own stilted writing career has been a sore point for years as Eleanor’s has soared? Perhaps it’s one of the other writers also in attendance, as friends, frenemies and foes from Eleanor’s past all seem to be invited to the island.

Surrounded by mystery writers who know all too well the many ways to craft the perfect crime, Eleanor is determined to get to the bottom of the mystery and do whatever it takes to get out of this weekend alive."

📚📚📚📚📚📚

A resort mystery that didn't quite work for me in either format

After listening to the audio version of this book, I really hoped that sitting down with the physical copy would give me a different experience, but unfortunately it still didn't quite work for me.

The story takes place at an all-inclusive resort in the Bahamas where Eleanor Dash, a mystery author, is attending a writers' conference. Things quickly go downhill when a dead body appears right on her hotel room floor. I usually love a good locked-island setup, but the execution here just felt a bit too chaotic.

There is a huge cast of characters to keep track of, and because this is the third book in a series, I felt like I was constantly playing catch-up with the history. On top of that, the plot got so convoluted towards the end with all the red herrings that it lost me a bit.

When I tried the audiobook, I found the constant, quirky footnotes where the main character talks directly to the reader quite disruptive to the flow. Having the physical book in front of me definitely made those footnotes easier to navigate on the page, but the formatting still broke up the tension of the actual investigation.

It is a light, snappy beach read if you enjoy a lot of drama and modern slang, but it just had a few too many niggles to be a standout for me. It does what it says on the tin, but it stays firmly in the neutral zone.

Thank you to the author, Pan Macmillan and NetGalley for enabling me to read and share my thoughts of this book.

📚📚📚📚📚📚

False Dawn (Mackenzie Reynolds #1) by D.V. Berkom

✴✴✴ Expected publication 7 August 2026 ✴✴✴

Description from Goodreads:

"She thought the mission was about protecting a defector.

She was wrong.

When a high-value defection goes violently wrong off the coast of Costa Rica, close protection operator Mackenzie “Mac” Reynolds is the only one left standing. Her client, a Chinese military colonel, vanishes. Her team is dead. Determined to uncover who betrayed them, Mac begins a global hunt for the truth."

📚📚📚📚📚📚

A cracking start to a new series

I've been a huge fan of DV Berkom for years – her Leine Basso books are always a must-read for me – so I was incredibly excited to hear she's starting a brand new series. 

This story introduces us to a brand new character, Mackenzie Reynolds, and she is an absolute powerhouse. Honestly, the whole way through reading I just kept thinking about how much I need Mackenzie and Leine to meet up at some point. They would either become instant friends or completely level whatever city they happened to be in together, and I would 100% pay to see that! 😜

The story kicks off quickly and doesn't really let up. Mackenzie proves she is more than capable of handling herself. She is tough, clever and has that perfectly gritty edge that this author writes so well.  The plot has plenty of twists to keep you guessing and the pacing is spot on. 

The settings themselves are atmospheric and vivid that they almost become characters in their own right, adding a layer of tension to the plot you can practically feel the sweat and dust on the page as things unfold.

If you like fast-paced thrillers with strong, no-nonsense female leads then you're going to love this one. It doesn't officially come out until August but it's definitely one to add to your pre-order list. I'm already impatient for the next book to see what Mackenzie gets up to 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 False Dawn and my hungry eyes can't wait to read the next!

📚📚📚📚📚📚

The Girls in the Dark by Avery Bishop [Audiobook]

🎙🎙🎙 Narrated by Brittany Pressley🎙🎙🎙

Description from Goodreads:

"Twenty years ago, my twin sister and I were abducted. Only I survived. Or so I thought…

The night I escaped from our abductor was the last time I saw my sister. I’ve never forgiven myself for the fact that I made it out and she didn’t. By the time the police found where we were held, there was no sign of her. Or the man that took us.

I’ve spent decades trying to forget that I couldn’t save my own sister. But on the anniversary of our abduction, I find a black rose on my car. There’s no one in the parking lot, but I know it’s a warning. My stomach churns to think it could be from the monster who held us captive all those years ago, wanting to take back what he believes is his.

But as I stare at it, I wonder if someone else may have left my sister. I always thought she died in that room, but what if she escaped? And if it’s her, and the truth of what happened the night I got out comes to light, will it destroy everything?"

🎧📚🎧📚🎧📚🎧

A dark, disturbing and twisty thriller 

I have been a fan of psychological thrillers for years so when I saw this audiobook I jumped at the chance to listen to it. 

The story follows Megan who managed to escape a serial killer twenty years ago while her twin sister Allison was left behind. Now on the twentieth anniversary, a black rose appears on her car and other troubling events occur and suddenly all the secrets Megan has been hiding about that night are threatened to be exposed - could Allison have survived and what really happened on the night Megan escaped?

Before diving in further I think it is important to include a quick trigger warning for this one. The core of the plot revolves around two young girls being kidnapped and abused by their captor so please bear that in mind if those themes are difficult for you to read about.

The plot weaves back and forth between the terrifying past in captivity and the increasingly tense present day. It creates a really claustrophobic atmosphere that kept me entirely hooked. I thought I had guessed exactly where the plot was going but the final twist took me a bit by surprise.

Brittany Pressley narrated the audiobook and she was absolutely fantastic. She managed to capture all the raw emotion, anxiety and mounting panic perfectly and her voice for the abuser was perfectly creepy.

The pacing of the story was good for me as an audiobook particularly as I listen to it in the car.  There were even times, especially towards the end, when I wanted to come across a traffic jam just so I could carry on listening!

Overall it is a dark and unsettling story about trauma and survival guilt that I would highly recommend to anyone who loves a good thriller.

Many thanks to the author, Bookouture Audio and NetGalley for enabling me to listen to and share my thoughts of this quite gripping book.

🎧📚🎧📚🎧📚🎧

This Weekend Doesn't End Well for Anyone by Catherine Mack [Audiobook]

Description from Goodreads:

"Eleanor Dash can never catch a break. Not only has she had to solve two real-life murder plots in the past year, but both times it was when she was meant to be on vacation. Now she’s finally got a ticket to a relaxing weekend—an all-inclusive resort in the Bahamas where she’s speaking at a conference for murder mystery writers—but she arrives to find a body on the floor of her hotel room. Because of course she does.

With plenty of familiar faces at the resort, any one of them could have been the intended target or the culprit behind it all. Was it Oliver Forrest, Eleanor’s dashing boyfriend who’s in danger of getting dropped by his publisher because his sales are dwindling? Or Connor Smith, Eleanor’s infuriating ex-lover-turned-bestselling-rom-com-author with a sordid past of his own? Or her sister Harper, whose own stilted writing career has been a sore point for years as Eleanor’s has soared? Perhaps it’s one of the other writers also in attendance, as friends, frenemies and foes from Eleanor’s past all seem to be invited to the island.

Surrounded by mystery writers who know all too well the many ways to craft the perfect crime, Eleanor is determined to get to the bottom of the mystery and do whatever it takes to get out of this weekend alive."

📚📚📚📚📚📚

A resort mystery that got a bit too chaotic for me

I jumped into this audiobook expecting a fun, locked-island style mystery with plenty of twists. While it definitely kept me guessing, it didn't quite hit the mark for me.

The story follows Eleanor Dash, an author who finds herself at an all-inclusive resort in the Bahamas for a murder mystery writers' conference. Instead of a relaxing weekend, she arrives to find a dead body right on her hotel room floor. It's a classic setup that I usually love, but the execution felt a bit messy here.

There were so many characters to keep track of, and unfortunately, I didn't find many of them particularly easy to root for. The pacing felt quite disjointed too and the plot got so convoluted towards the end with all the red herrings that it felt a bit far-fetched, even for a light thriller.

To be fair, I didn't realise until after I started that this is actually the third book in a series. That definitely might have affected how I felt about the story, as I felt like I was missing some of the background history between the recurring characters.

On the plus side, the narrator did a good job. She managed to give everyone distinct voices which helped me follow who was speaking during the chaotic group scenes, and she handled the quirky little footnotes where the main character pops in to talk directly to the reader really well.

I actually have the physical copy of the book to read as well. The story features a huge amount of those footnotes and modern slang, which felt a bit disruptive in audio format, so maybe I will prefer reading the physical version instead – I'm not entirely sure yet but I will give it a go.

Many thanks to the author, Macmillan and NetGalley for enabling me to listen to and share my thoughts.

📚📚📚📚📚📚

The Killer in Room Five by Sam Holland

Description from Goodreads:

"A terrible confession

In an isolated room in Hollowpines, an infamous psychiatric hospital, Joe Sinclair is confessing to a violent murder.

An impossible crime

Locked away, Joe couldn't possibly have killed the man, so how does he know so many of the horrifying details?

A detective at her limits

Suspended after a colleague was stabbed on her watch, DC Abby Fox has only just returned to work. But at Hollowpines, she must find out what really happened and how exactly Joe is involved.

Is he to blame, or the only one who can stop the killer?"

📚📚📚📚📚📚

A masterclass in tension

I have read some of Sam's previous books and they have all been excellent, so I was incredibly excited to get my hands on this one. I can happily report that this is no exception. From the very first page, it grabs you by the throat and just does not let go.

While this one is a standalone and not part of a series, if you've read her previous books, you will know exactly how twisted her mind can be. The story sets up an incredible premise based in Hollowpines, an infamous psychiatric hospital. A patient named Joe Sinclair is locked away in an isolated room confessing to a brutal murder, yet it's seemingly an impossible crime because there's no way he could have physically done it. The mystery of how he knows such explicit, horrifying details is what sets off a dark, intensely clever plot that keeps you guessing.  

The hospital setting is brilliantly atmospheric - it feels incredibly heavy and claustrophobic – and the pacing is spot on. I found myself racing through the chapters late into the night because I just had to know how everything was going to unravel.

What I love most about Sam Holland's writing is the ability to create flawed, deeply human characters. DC Abby Fox is a fantastic protagonist – she is returning to work after a tough suspension and is riddled with self-doubt but fiercely determined to prove her worth. The psychological element of how easily human memory can be influenced or warped by suggestion adds an extra layer of intrigue that kept me constantly second-guessing who to trust.  

If you are a fan of psychological thrillers that are fast-paced, clever and a little bit gruesome, you definitely need to add this to your reading list. It's easily one of the best books I have read this year so far.

Huge thanks to the author, Harper Collins UK, Harper Fiction, Hemlock Press and NetGalley for enabling me to read and share my thoughts of another excellent book from Sam Holland.

📚📚📚📚📚📚

Broken Circle (DS Liam Kilshaw #3) by Matt Brolly

Description from Goodreads:

"An ancient legend reborn. A killer recreating dark rituals. And a detective racing to break the circle before it’s complete.

When the body of a teenage girl is found posed in the Merry Maidens stone circle, her face coated in clay and ochre, DS Liam Kilshaw is drawn into a case where near-forgotten fictions bleed into brutal fact.

With echoes of an old folktale of dancers turned to stone, the scene is more about staging than superstition. And when two skeletons are unearthed beneath a nearby stone, Kilshaw realises the past is far from dead and buried.

As he hunts for a missing farmhand linked to the girl, more victims surface, each placed with ritual precision in remote ancient sites. With the noose tightening, Kilshaw must decipher centuries-old secrets to break the circle. Because in this deadly game of ancient rites and cold-blooded murder, the killer is saving the most important sacrifice for last.

A haunting crime thriller where medieval legends collide with modern murder."

📚📚📚📚📚📚

Eerie and atmospheric

I've read quite a few of Matt Brolly’s books over the years, but I’ve actually never picked up one from the DS Liam Kilshaw series before now. Even though this is the third instalment, I didn't find it too difficult to follow the main plot, so it definitely works as a standalone.

There’s clearly a lot of character development and history that I've missed by jumping in late. Liam is obviously a man carrying a fair bit of baggage and while the author gives enough context to understand his current state of mind, I think I would've felt a much stronger emotional connection to him if I’d been there from the start. It felt a bit like being a guest at a party where everyone else knows the inside jokes – not the author’s fault at all, just a reminder that I need to go back and read the first two!  

The setting is what really made this one for me. It’s incredibly atmospheric, using the rugged backdrop of Cornwall to great effect. The story kicks off with a really chilling discovery at the Merry Maidens stone circle, where a girl’s body has been staged in a way that feels tied to ancient rituals and folklore. I absolutely loved this folk-horror element; it gave the whole mystery a much darker and more unsettling edge than your average police procedural. The way local legends were woven into the investigation kept me engaged.  

In terms of pace, it’s a bit of a slow burner with very little action in the traditional sense. Instead, it relies on a sense of mounting dread and tension that just oozes out of the pages. If you prefer high-octane chases, this might feel a bit quiet, but for me, the suspense was spot on. It’s a very solid read that has definitely convinced me I need to catch up on Liam’s earlier cases.

Many thanks to the author, Amazon Publishing UK, Thomas & Mercer and NetGalley for enabling me to read and share my thoughts of this, a new series for me.

📚📚📚📚📚📚

The Serial Killer Support Network (Secret Vigilante #2) by D.B. Stephens

Description from Goodreads:

"Therapy was just the beginning…

For six months someone known only as The Caretaker has been committing crimes against those who have wronged.

Now, women across the country have been inspired to take control of their own lives and seek revenge on the people who hurt them.

The Caretaker is more than just a killer, he’s become a movement. And the serial killer support group have found themselves at the heart of it…"

📚📚📚📚📚📚

A dark and twisty sequel that keeps the momentum going

I was a massive fan of the first book in this series so I was buzzing to get my hands on an early copy of this one. D.B. Stephens has delivered another high-stakes story that keeps the tension high from the very first page.

The characters are what really make it and I especially liked getting more background on Sophie's past this time around. It added a lot of depth to her character that we didn't have before. However, I did find myself getting a bit frustrated with the constant back and forth between Sophie and Jess. It felt like it stalled the plot a little in places when I just wanted to get on with it.

One thing that didn't hit as hard for me was that the killings didn't feel quite as personal this time. We weren't as connected to the backstories or the reasons why these specific people were being targeted which took away some of the impact. The ending is also a massive cliffhanger. While it definitely makes me want to see what happens in the next instalment, it's the kind of finish that might leave you feeling a bit impatient!

Overall, it's a very good read and I'm still well and truly hooked on the Secret Vigilante series. It’s fast-paced and has plenty of surprises without ever feeling like it’s trying too hard to be shocking. If you liked the first one, you'll definitely want to pick this up to see where the group goes next.

Thanks to the author, Harper Collins UK, One More Chapter and NetGalley for enabling me to read and share my thoughts of this, the second book in the series.

📚📚📚📚📚📚

The Stranger on the Stairs by Ruth Mancini

Description from Goodreads:

"You were only seven years old when you witnessed your mother's murder.

Although you did not see her attacker clearly, you are pretty sure who it was.

Thanks to you, he went to prison for twenty years.

Now he's out.

And you are no longer certain that the man you identified that terrifying evening really was the killer.

But if it wasn’t him, who was the stranger on the stairs?

And can he now be coming for you?"

📚📚📚📚📚📚

A twisty and unsettling thriller

I read Ruth Mancini’s previous book, The Woman on the Ledge, back in December 2023 just before it was officially released, and I've been meaning to pick up another of her stories for ages. I’ve definitely left it far too long to dive back into her work, but I’m so glad I finally did because this was another cracking read.

The story centres on a woman who witnessed her mother’s murder when she was just a child. Her evidence was what put a man behind bars for twenty years, but now that he’s been released, she’s starting to question everything she thought she knew. It’s a really clever premise that looks at how fragile our memories can be – especially when we’re young – and whether we can ever truly trust what we think we saw.

Because Ruth Mancini is a criminal defence lawyer, the whole thing feels incredibly authentic. You can really tell she knows the legal system inside out. It isn’t just about the mystery either; it’s a very human story about trauma and the search for the truth, even when that truth is terrifying.  The idea of a potential miscarriage of justice feels all too real – we've seen enough cases like this over the years to know that the system isn't always perfect – and that adds a layer of genuine unease to the plot.

The pacing is excellent and kept me turning the pages late into the night. I'll admit I did manage to guess what was happening and worked out "whodunnit" before the reveal, but that didn't take away from the enjoyment at all. I really liked how everything came together at the end which was very satisfying.

Many thanks to the author, Random House UK, Cornerstone, Century and NetGalley for enabling me to read and share my thoughts of this thought-provoking and scarily all to real book.

📚📚📚📚📚📚