The Hawk Is Dead by Peter James

 

When a sniper narrowly misses Queen Camilla during a royal visit to Sussex, the whole nation is shocked. It's up to Detective Superintendent Roy Grace to investigate, revealing sinister goings-on within Buckingham Palace.

The Hawk Is Dead by Peter James is book 22 in the Roy Grace series, and I suspect it is the one the author had the most fun writing. Not only is Camilla the target, but both the King and Queen feature heavily within the investigation.

There is plenty of action from the very beginning, with the events surrounding the sniper attack all taking place in the first few chapters. As usual, the author's meticulous research is evident as you become completely engrossed in the planning and execution of a royal visit using the royal train. Unfortunately, the sniper attack does claim a victim, and we see the disparate way in which our law enforcement services operate as they all want to take control of the investigation.

DS Roy Grace and his team win out since the attempted assassination took place in Sussex. Grace is convinced that the attempt on the Queen's life is beyond the aims and ability of the anti-monarchy protest groups and has him wondering if Camilla was really the target. As a result, his investigation moves to Buckingham Palace.

Within the walls of Buckingham Palace is where the fun starts. Roy Grace faces a steep learning curve concerning how the royal household operates. We're given a guided tour of many of the rooms and the valuable items on display. There are even meetings with the King and Queen, interactions which come across as completely genuine. I could hear the King's voice as his character in the book spoke.

As the true reason behind the sniper attack becomes evident, the body count begins to climb, leading to a frantic chase through Buckingham Palace and Grace risking his life, followed by a race against time to apprehend the true mastermind behind the crime. I'm sure that Roy Grace will be rewarded with an honour pretty soon.

The Hawk Is Dead by Peter James will be published on 21st October 2025 in hardback, ebook and audio format. My thanks to NetGalley and Pan Macmillan for a review copy.

Author Details

Peter James is a New York Times and Sunday Times bestselling author best known for his crime thrillers featuring Detective Superintendent Roy Grace, who Queen Camilla recently named as her favourite fictional detective. Praised by critics and much loved by crime and thriller fans for his fast-paced page-turners full of unexpected plot twists, sinister characters, and accurate portrayal of modern-day policing, he has won more than 40 awards for his work, including the WHSmith Best Crime Author of All Time Award and the Crime Writers’ Association Diamond Dagger.

His books have sold over 23 million copies worldwide, achieved 21 Sunday Times No 1s, and have been translated into 38 languages. His Roy Grace novels are currently filming their 6th season for the hit ITV drama, Grace, starring John Simm as the troubled Brighton copper and available to view on ITVX and on Britbox.

Seven of his novels have been adapted into hit stage plays, with his most recent, Picture You Dead, now on national tour in the UK. His plays have have been named as “The most successful stage franchise since Agatha Christie.

We'll Prescribe You Another Cat by Syou Ishida

 

I was a little apprehensive when I picked up We'll Prescribe You A Cat by Syou Ishida (you can find my review here) late last year but loved the slightly quirky, slightly mystical tale of the healing power of cats. I was overjoyed to discover there would be a sequel, We'll Prescribe You Another Cat.

The Nakagyo Kokoro Clinic For The Soul remains elusive, unless you really need it, and this time around, the people who need it the most don't realise that they do. Doctor Nikke continues to baffle patients with his disorganised thoughts and Nurse Chitose is as stern as ever. 

Being persuaded to care for a cat for a short period of time forces the patients who stumble across the Kokoro Clinic to examine their lives more closely. No doubt other readers will find different messages within the stories. For me, the messages that came across most clearly were, you get out of life what you put in, a work/life balance is essential and different generations can learn from each other. These messages probably seem very obvious, but sometimes we need a small reminder. It is also important to remember that the Japanese culture is vastly different and working long hours and social isolation are normal, and even expected.

Cats are adorable, and the ones featured in the book all have individual personalities, particularly Sasha, a Munchkin cat. The final story, featuring a cat called Nikke, is the one that filled me with trepidation, making me wonder if we were going to end on a sad note. Thankfully, the good news is that there will be another book in the series, Welcome To The Kokoro Cat Clinic, in 2026.

Author Details

Born in 1975 in Kyoto, Syou Ishida is an award-winning author. Her debut in the series, We’ll Prescribe You a Cat, has been a runaway international bestseller and has been the subject of numerous news articles, including in the Guardian and the New York Times. We'll Prescribe You Another Cat is the second volume in the series to be published internationally. Volume 3 has also been released in Japan and will be published in the English-language next year as Welcome to the Kokoro Cat Clinic.

Vanished by Tim Weaver

 

Sam Wren boarded his normal tube to work but never got off. Six months after his disappearance the police have more pressing matters to deal with, so his wife hires David Raker to find answers.

After reading The Dead Tracks (my review is here) by Tim Weaver in August, I just knew it wouldn't be long before I read the next book in the David Raker series. In Vanished, Raker is hired to find a married man who went out to work one morning and never returned. CCTV shows Sam Wren boarding a tube train and that's the last sighting anyone has of him, he doesn't appear to have ever got off the train.

David Raker is tenacious, he knows it's impossible for someone to disappear from a train. We see him use every avenue possible to discover exactly what happened to Sam Wren. As a result, we meet some extremely unpleasant characters. Not only does The Vanished introduce us to a hidden side of London, it also shows us the underbelly of humanity, a side most of us will never brush against, thankfully.

The author shines a spotlight on how missing persons cases are investigated; demographics play a huge role in how police resources are allocated. In the case of Sam Wren, only a cursory glance is shown since he's a stable, solvent man, someone able to make decisions for themselves. As far as the police are concerned, Sam has chosen to disappear.

In The Dead Tracks, we were introduced to detective Colm Healy, and he quickly becomes involved in Raker's current case. Healy is a damaged man, someone distrusted by everyone around him. Raker understands the hurt Healy has suffered, but their relationship is still fractious. 

There are lots of creepy and sinister moments as Raker descends deeper and deeper into the murky underside of society, with some sections making for difficult reading. And just when you think that Raker has resolved everything satisfactorily, there's an unbelievable twist and an ending that leaves you stunned.

Author Details

Tim Weaver is the Sunday Times bestselling author of fifteen novels, including No One Home, The Blackbird and The Last Goodbye, and a short story collection. He is also the host and producer of the chart-topping Missing podcast and is currently developing an original TV series with the team behind Line of Duty. A former journalist and magazine editor, he lives near Bath with his wife and daughter.

#Readalong The Cinnamon Spice Inn by Harper Graham

 

When Madison Kelly receives an anonymous note informing her that her widowed father is struggling to keep the family-run inn afloat, she immediately drops everything and returns to Maple Falls. It's six years since she spent any real time in her hometown, and she's not sure how she's going to deal with seeing the man who broke her heart.

I've recently taken part in my first ever Readalong hosted by The Tandem Collective (link to website here), Instagram handle @tandemcollectiveuk/@tandemcollectiveglobal. The Readalong brings together a group of people across the globe to read the same book at the same pace and discuss what they're reading. I think this is a fantastic idea for book lovers who don't have an opportunity to talk about what they are reading. The schedule takes place over a week but is pretty flexible. There are also prompts for discussion and creative challenges (which are not compulsory).

The book, recently published The Cinnamon Spice Inn by Harper Graham, is a small town romance, set in Maple Falls. Madison knew that her dream career would take her away from Maple Falls, but she didn't foresee that it would spell the end of her relationship with her childhood sweetheart, Zach. Being dragged back to her hometown brings lots of emotions to the surface and Madison knows she's got to address the problem if she's to move on with her life.

We quickly learn that misunderstanding, on both parts, was the root of the problem, one that could have been quickly resolved if they'd communicated. Unfortunately, both decided to sweep the issue under the carpet and plough on with their lives. It is only when Madison returns home after six years, and the pair are in forced proximity, do they finally talk about what happened. When they realise miscommunication is at the heart of the problem, their relationship quickly reignites. The big question is will it be enough to stop Madison returning to New York?

The real star of the book is the wonderful town of Maple Falls. The author paints such an idyllic picture that I immediately wanted to pack my bags and buy a one-way ticket. Beautiful descriptions of autumn scenery, a tight-knit community and delicious food and drink drew me right in; as a UK reader, this is just how I imagine small-town America to be. 

Combined with the wonderful descriptions and the spicy will-they-won't-they romance, there's also the struggles with the inn to contend with and the mystery surrounding the anonymous letter. I found the combination of all these elements kept me turning the pages, desperate to know more. I was a little bit sad to reach the end of my time in Maple Falls. However, all is not lost as Harper Graham has made this the first book in a trilogy. I'm already looking forward to returning for The Spiced Cocoa Café and The Cherry Crush Flower Shop.

A huge thank you to Harper Graham, Bookouture and The Tandem Collective for providing a review copy of The Cinnamon Spice Inn and allowing me to take part in the Readalong.

Author Details

Harper Graham lives with her mischievous spaniel in a cozy small town in Connecticut. Her quirky neighbours may or may not have inspired the residents of her Maple Falls series. When she’s not hiking with her daughter, baking her grandmother’s recipes or reading in her favourite coffee shop, Harper can be found writing the sweet and spicy romance stories of her own dreams.

The Note by Alafair Burke (Audiobook)

 

May, Lauren and Kelsey were hoping a girls weekend together would help them reconnect after a difficult few years. Little did they realise that a moment of madness would result in them becoming suspects in a missing persons case.

Things have been difficult for the three main characters of The Note by Alafair Burke. In some form or another, all three have been cancelled via social media as a result of things that have happened in their lives. As we get to know the women on their weekend away, it is easy to sympathise with them and understand why they have avoided any form of public scrutiny for the past couple of years. Getting together in person gives them a chance to connect with people who know exactly what they have gone through. I enjoyed the gossipy tone at the start of the book, excellently narrated by Catherine Ho, but there is an overall air of mystery surrounding each character.

The incident that triggers the story is one that most people have probably contemplated: leaving an anonymous note on a car windscreen. When the driver of the car goes missing, the three women realise how foolish they have been, but decide no one will be able to connect them to the note. Unfortunately, May is a rule follower, an over-thinker, and tries to make sure they are in the clear, which only draws them to the attention of the police investigating the case.

As the police dig deeper, we learn more about a shocking incident which connects all three women, and  more about why they were ostracised. Even though they remain sympathetic characters, you begin to realise that there are secrets which remain hidden. May, ridden by guilt and worried about her job, is the one who forces everyone to face the past. I was stunned at the turn the story took, as deep, dark secrets were uncovered, and you begin to realise that not everyone is trustworthy. The conclusion is one I didn't see coming, leaving me speechless.

The Note by Alafair Burke will be published in audio format on 1st October 2025. The book is available now in paperback and ebook format. My thanks to NetGalley and Bolinda Audio for a review copy.

Author Details

Alafair Burke is the New York Times and internationally bestselling author of twenty novels.

Her most recent novel, FIND ME, has been called a "skillfully constructed, delightfully twisty thriller" (Booklist) and "a twisting, surprising, and satisfying new thrill ride" (Ms. Magazine). THE BETTER SISTER has been praised as “twisty” (BookBub), “mesmerizing” (Publishers Weekly), “fast-moving” (Library Journal), and “a non-stop thriller fest” (Suspense Magazine). THE WIFE was selected as a best-of-the-month pick by Amazon, Barnes & Noble, Entertainment Weekly, O (Oprah Magazine), and others. It is being adapted as a feature film, with Alafair writing the screenplay.

Alafair's novels grow out of her experience as a prosecutor in America's police precincts and criminal courtrooms, and have been featured by The Today Show, People Magazine, The New York Times, O Magazine, MSNBC, The Washington Post, USA Today, and The Chicago Sun-Times. Harlan Coben has said she is "a major talent," and Dennis Lehane called her "one of the finest young crime writers working today" back when she was young.

A graduate of Stanford Law School and a former prosecutor, Alafair is now a professor at Hofstra Law School, where she teaches criminal law and procedure. She lives in New York City and East Hampton with her husband and two beloved dogs.

12 Ways To Kill Your Family At Christmas by Natasha Bache

 

Olivia Weiss just has to get through one more Christmas holiday with her husband's obnoxious, but wealthy, family. Her dream of relocating to Australia is only weeks away - until family members start turning up dead.

With the tag line "Perfect for fans of The White Lotus, Knives Out and anyone who's ever wanted to strangle someone over Christmas lunch," I jumped at the chance to read 12 Ways To Kill Your Family At Christmas by Natasha Bache. This really is a cross between a murder mystery and an old-fashioned British comedy.

Olivia has married into a wealthy family, one who are filled with Christmas traditions. Olivia is hoping that this will be the final time she has to suffer them, along with her husband and teenage children, as the family is moving to Australia. She knows that the family looks down on her; she's spent the past eighteen years biting her tongue whenever they've had a dig at her, she only has to get through two more weeks of their constant sneering.

The setting has all the hallmarks of a traditional murder mystery: a large collection of nasty characters, a sprawling mansion, an inheritance, and a relative about to be released from prison. When one accidental death is quickly followed by another, I'd have been hightailing it out of the area, but a storm results in them being snowed in. As the body count continues to mount, it's obvious someone has murder on their mind, and the list of suspects is diminishing.

Eccentricity rules within the family; there is no likeable character among them. However, I did find Uncle Fergus hilarious; loud, crude, and drunk by breakfast time. With such an unpleasant group of people, you really don't have any sympathy for their demise; the big question is, who will be next? As the group is whittled down, I began to hazard a guess as to who the murderer might be, only for that person to become a victim! I was without a clue until the big reveal in this fun, festive read.

12 Ways To Kill Your Family At Christmas by Natasha Bache will be published on 9th October 2025 in paperback, ebook and audio format. My thanks to NetGalley and One More Chapter for a review copy.

Author Details

Natasha Bache studied English Literature and Philosophy at Keele University. After completing a Masters degree at Warwick University, she became an Editor at HarperCollins Publishers where she worked with estates such as Agatha Christie and J.R.R. Tolkien.

In 2015, she co-founded a design agency with her husband called Books Covered, where they specialise in designing market-leading book covers for both traditional and self-published authors.

Natasha lives in Shropshire with her husband and two children.

Holmes Is Missing by James Patterson and Brian Sitts

 

When six newborn babies disappear from a private hospital, investigators Holmes, Marple and Poe are hired to track down the kidnappers. The only problem is that Holmes isn't around, and the remaining two investigators are tight-lipped about his whereabouts.

You know what you're getting from a James Patterson novel; short and snappy chapters, fast-paced and not a vast amount of concentration needed. Just the sort of book you can pick up and put down easily after reading a few chapters. Holmes Is Missing, written by James Patterson in collaboration with Brian Sitts, fits the mould exactly. I read the first book in the series back in December 2023 and was pleasantly surprised at how much I enjoyed it. As a result, I was looking forward to reading the sequel.

What worked so well the first time around was the mystery surrounding the main characters. Throughout the first book, there were subtle hints about the backgrounds of Brendan Holmes, Margaret Marple and Auguste Poe, and I fully expected these backgrounds to be explored further this time around. Unfortunately, we learnt very little about the characters as far too much of the storyline revolved around their current personal lives.

I did enjoy some of the tongue-in-cheek humour, particularly the crime writers convention where real-life writers made a guest appearance (and didn't always come off well).

There was plenty of action, as befits a James Patterson thriller, but it all felt a bit madcap as the investigators raced from one location to the next, usually in some form of American muscle car, but there were times when only a plane or helicopter would suffice. It all felt just a touch surreal.

While the crimes were solved, readers are left dangling by the introduction of an arch-nemesis for Holmes, his very own version of Moriarty. Obviously, this signals a third outing for Holmes, Marple and Poe, but I don't think I'll be getting involved.

Author Details

James Patterson is one of the best-known and biggest-selling writers of all time. Among his creations are some of the world's most popular series including Alex Cross, the Women's Murder Club, Michael Bennett and the Private novels. He has written many other number one bestsellers including collaborations with President Bill Clinton and Dolly Parton, stand-alone thrillers and non-fiction. James has donated millions in grants to independent bookshops and has been the most borrowed adult author in UK libraries for the past fourteen years in a row. He lives in Florida with his family.

Brian Sitts is an award-winning advertising creative director and television writer. He has collaborated with James Patterson on books for adults and children. He and his wife, Jody, live in Peekskill, New York.