The Cat Who Saved Books by Sosuke Natskawa

 

Seventeen-year-old Rintaro is not only dealing with the grief of having lost the grandfather who raised him, but he's also having to say farewell to the bookshop his grandfather owned. In his final days there, a talking cat arrives, insisting he needs Rintaro's help.

I'm not sure why it has taken me so long to get around to reading The Cat Who Saved Books by Sosuke Natsukawa. The combination of books and cats sounds absolutely perfect to me. I am only just discovering translated Asian fiction, and just like the few others I've read, this is a magical and mystical tale.

When we first meet Rintaro, he's struggling with grief. The grandfather who raised him has recently died, and he is now going to live with his only other relative, an aunt. Moving means leaving the bookshop his grandfather owned and loved. Having been raised surrounded by books, it is easy to understand Rintaro's love of literature. Rintaro is also very introverted; he's happiest on his own in the bookshop.

Magical things begin to happen when a cat appears in the shop. The cat introduces himself as Tiger the tabby. As if a talking cat wasn't surprising enough, he explains to Rintaro that he needs his help to save books from a variety of labyrinths.

As Rintaro journeys with Tiger, we see how books are undervalued and even destroyed. The lovely descriptions feel as if you are seeing everything through Rintaro's eyes as he travels from one challenge to the next. Thankfully, Rintaro has never forgotten the wisdom imparted by his beloved grandfather: 'Books have tremendous power' and 'They'll inspire and support you'. With each new confrontation, we see Rintaro grow in confidence and also realise that he's not alone in the world.

I'm already looking forward to reading the sequel, The Cat Who Saved The Library.

Author Details

Sosuke Natsukawa is a Japanese physician and novelist. He graduated from the Shinshu University medical school and practises medicine at a hospital in the largely rural prefecture of Nagano. His multi-volume debut novel, Kamisama no Karute (God's Medical Records), has won several prizes and has sold over three million copies in Japan. He is the author of the internationally bestselling The Cat Who Saved Books. The Cat Who Saved the Library is the second book in his series featuring Tiger the talking tabby cat.

Blue Sisters by Coco Mellors

 

On the first anniversary of their sister's death, the remaining siblings, Avery, Bonnie and Lucky, are all struggling with the direction of their lives. Reuniting gives them an opportunity to find closure.

When I first opened Blue Sisters by Coco Mellors, I thought this was going to simply be a tale about sisters; their rivalry, in-fighting, and the unwavering support that anyone who has a sibling will be familiar with. The book certainly examines these issues, but offers so much more.

With only eight years between the eldest and the youngest, sisters Avery, Bonnie, Nicky and Lucky have always been close, mainly because of the lack of maternal instinct shown by their mother. Being the eldest, Avery took responsibility for protecting the others, something that has continued into their adult lives.

Each of the sisters found their place in the world, some of them extremely successfully. However, the death of Nicky has thrown them all into a spin, upsetting the stability they had found in each other. Now, on the first anniversary of Nicky's death, they are finally coming together, a meeting which forces them to examine the choices they have made.

Each of the women is flawed, much of their character stemming from their upbringing. Alongside the theme of grief, the book also takes a close look at addiction and how its shadow effects individuals and families. For each character, it is easy to see how their actions fit the traditional expectations based on their position in the family; first-born Avery is the responsible one, last-born Lucky is reckless. Despite Avery being the responsible sibling, Nicky was the homemaker, the one that the others gravitated to, so it is easy to understand why her death has impacted them so greatly.

The time spent together allows the sisters to come to terms with their loss, to find the closure they so desperately need. It also gives them a chance to see how the others have been affected and, for one of them in particular, to learn about motherhood.

Author Details

Coco Mellors is a writer from London and New York. She received her MFA in Fiction from New York University, where she was a Goldwater fellow. She currently lives in Los Angeles with her husband. Cleopatra and Frankenstein was her debut novel.

April 2026 Reads

April began with The Calamity Club by Kathryn Stockett. Set during the Great Depression, the story focuses on a group of women who are prepared to throw convention to the wind in order to save their homes. This is a hefty novel, filled with vivid characters. I thoroughly enjoyed meeting each and every one, but felt the ending was a little rushed.

The Woman In The Picture by Katharine McMahon was my book group’s read for the month. A female solicitor in 1926 London is hired to defend a woman of wealth during a divorce case. At the same time, she finds herself trying to help a woman who is being physically abused by her husband. The story shows the differences in the lives of women, depending on their position in society.

A new entry into the cosy crime genre is Shrink Solves Murder by Philippa Perry. When the body of a young man is discovered at the foot of a cliff, his psychotherapist is adamant it wasn’t suicide. The psychotherapist, Dr. Patricia Phillips, is a fun character. I loved her “grumpy old woman” persona.

I was overjoyed to read The Last Marriage Of Dot Brightmore by Laura Pearson, a sequel to The Last List Of Mabel Beaumont. Reunited after sixty years apart, Mabel and Dot want to declare their love by getting married. Unfortunately, there is an obstacle in the way. Mabel and Dot set off to America to try to find a solution to their problem. As with the first book, we learn that the support of friends can help us to solve any problem.

In The Hollow Boys, author Tariq Ashkanani treads the fine line between reality and the supernatural. Ten months after two young boys disappear, suspected to have drowned in a lake, one of them suddenly reappears. Danny is behaving strangely, and his mother is convinced that she needs to repay a blood debt for him to return to normal. Strange events around the town add to the feeling of disquiet.

A man confesses to a brutal murder; however, he was a patient in a psychiatric hospital at the time. The police are puzzled over how he could have such detailed knowledge of the crime. In The Killer In Room Five by Sam Holland, DC Abby Fox spends time in the hospital, trying to solve the mystery. This isn’t for the faint-hearted, it’s dark, disturbing and gory.

Body Of Lies by Jo Callaghan is the concluding book in the Kat and Lock series. Following the devastating conclusion of the previous book, security around AI detective Lock has been beefed up. When a body is discovered, alongside it is a taunting message aimed at Kat and Lock. A series of shocking events, with far-reaching consequences, makes you realise how vulnerable we are.

Blue Sisters by Coco Mellors focuses on three siblings who are still mourning on the first anniversary of their sister’s death. Guilt has impacted all of their lives, and a lack of closure is preventing them from moving on. Alongside grief, the book also examines the themes of addiction and motherhood.

Liar Liar is the first in a new crime series from Luca Veste. Set in Liverpool, we join Mark Fletcher, a suspended detective, who wakes in a hotel room to find a dead body next to him. Mark is convinced the Bonucci crime family is out for revenge and races to clear his name. Alongside this, Mark’s police colleagues are trying to discover who is responsible for a body buried in a suburban garden. All indications are that the Bonucci family is involved.

April resulted in two book group reads, the second of which was Sister by Rosamund Lupton. When student Tess goes missing, her sister, Beatrice, returns from America to try to find her. When her body is discovered, Beatrice refuses to accept she has taken her own life. As she investigates Tess’s final days, she learns of strange events involving her sister’s pregnancy.

Against The Tide by G. D. Wright packs an emotional punch from the very beginning. When armed burglars attack an elderly couple, one of them is killed and the other is in serious condition. DC Vinny Robson acts as FLO to their adult daughter. Vinny has family problems of his own, dealing with his elderly mother who has dementia. As the investigation continues, dark secrets are uncovered, secrets that impact everyone.

The Defence is book 4 in the Adam Green series from Rob Rinder. Adam, a junior barrister, is feeling a little jaded. Recruited to the defence team for a woman accused of murdering an ex-MP and wellness guru seems to have arrived just at the right time. Jules, the accused, is reluctant to give out any information, so Adam has to turn detective to figure out exactly what happened.

In The Cornish Honeymoon Murder, book 10 in the series from Fiona Leitch, Jodie and Nathan finally get away on honeymoon. It’s really a working holiday as a friend has asked them to investigate who is trying to sabotage the opening of his new eco-friendly resort. They get more than they bargained for when a storm leaves the island cut off from the mainland, and then one of the guests is found dead.

Nicole Fischer has been ostracised since her father was found guilty of murder. A mysterious letter invites her to a weekend retreat for the children of serial killers. Hoping to find support and be able to challenge the woman whom she feels has betrayed her, Nicole accepts the invitation. At the retreat, one of the group members is murdered. The Death Row Club from V. A. Vazquez has you questioning if danger lurks outside in the woods, or is it someone inside the retreat?

I ended the month with a short read, The Cat Who Saved Books by Sosuke Natsukawa. This magical tale introduces us to Tiger the tabby, a talking cat who persuades a teenager to help him on his quest to save books from various individuals. The story highlights the power of books and reading, how they inspire and support you. This is just what the boy needs, as not only is he very isolated, but he’s also dealing with grief.

Only two audiobooks this month, but the first one was absolutely brilliant. In Nothing Left Behind by Hannah Brennan, we follow DCI Field as she investigates a case of arson and murder. Ann Evans has long been known to the emergency services as a nuisance caller, claiming that someone is trying to set fire to her house. This time around, it’s for real. As the investigation continues, we learn of Ann’s background and the reason for her paranoia.

Annabel And Her Sisters by Catherine Alliott is the story of three adult siblings trying to deal with their elderly mother, who suddenly decides she’s going to sell her home. As they deal with the logistics of looking after her, we get an insight into each of their lives and uncover a long-buried secret.

Publication dates to watch out for:-

The Calamity Club by Kathryn Stockett will be published on 5/5/26 in ebook and audio format, with the hardback published on 21/5/26

Shrink Solves Murder by Philppa Perry will be published on 7/5/26 in hardback, ebook and audio format.

The Last Marriage Of Dot Brightmore by Laura Pearson will be published on 8/5/26 in paperbook and ebook format.

The Hollow Boys by Tariq Ashkanani will be published on 14/5/26 in hardback, ebook and audio format.

The Killer In Room Five by Sam Holland will be published on 21/5/26 in paperback, ebook and audio format.

Body Of Lies by Jo Callaghan will be published on 21/5/26 in hardback, ebook and audio format.

Liar Liar by Luca Veste will be published on 4/6/26 in paperback, ebook and audi format.

Against The Tide by G. D. Wright will be published on 18/6/26 in paperback, ebook and audio format.

The Defence by Rob Rinder will be published on 18/6/26 in hardback, ebook and audio format.

The Death Row Club by V. A. Vazquez will be published on 18/6/26 in hardback, ebook and audio format.

The Cornish Honeymoon Murder by Fiona Leitch will be published on 26/6/26 in ebook and audio format, the paperback will be published on 2/7/26.

The Killer In Room Five by Sam Holland

 

Joseph Sinclair has confessed to a brutal murder. The only problem is that when the murder took place, Joe was a patient in a psychiatric hospital. The police are puzzled as to how he can have such detailed knowledge of the crime if he wasn't present.

Author Sam Holland has written some of my favourite police procedural/serial killer thrillers of recent years, so I relished the opportunity to read The Killer In Room Five. The story certainly lived up to my expectations; if you like your thrillers on the dark side, then this fits the bill.

The opening pages set the tone for the narrative: bloody, frantic and terrifying. From this opening, we are introduced to DC Abby Fox, who is returning to work following a year's suspension. The reason for the suspension isn't immediately clear and adds to Abby's mysteriousness and vulnerability. Abby is sent to interview Joe at Hollowpines, the private psychiatric hospital where he has been a patient for the past month.

Joe is a sympathetic character; he is completely aware of his illness and terrified about what he may have done. Alongside Joe, we meet a range of other characters at the hospital, many of whom seem to be supportive and genuine, but you soon begin to doubt everyone.

A combination of unexplained murders, a building with an unpleasant history, and patients with shocking backgrounds all add to keep the reader on edge. The backstory of some of the more dangerous patients is enough to make you want to sleep with the lights on. I was also intrigued as to whether these characters are based on real-life murderers or simply a result of the twisted imagination of the author.

Although I'd figured out who the killer was relatively quickly, it didn't spoil my enjoyment as I couldn't work out how and why. The author manages to keep the conclusion a complete mystery until the very end. The ending, with karma leaving its calling card, certainly isn't for the faint-hearted.

The Killer In Room Five by Sam Holland will be published on 21st May 2026 in paperback, ebook and audio format. My thanks to NetGalley and Hemlock Press for a review copy.

Author Details

Sam Holland is the award-winning author of the Major Crimes series, following detectives as they investigate murders committed by brutal serial killers in the south of England. Her debut, The Echo Man, shocked and enthralled readers and reviewers alike with its sinister depiction of a serial killer copying notorious real-life murderers of the past.

Her books have been published in 15 countries worldwide, including the US, Germany and the Netherlands, where she became the first author to win the Bronze Bat for her debut and the Silver Bat for best thriller in consecutive years at the Nederlands Thrillerfestival.

She also writes as Louisa Scarr and is the author of the Butler and West crime series, beginning with Last Place You Look and ending with Out of the Ashes. A new series, about a police dog handler, launched in July 2024 with Gallows Wood. The second in the series, Memorial Park, is out now and will be followed by Broken House in October.

The Hollow Boys by Tariq Ashkanani

 

Ten months after two young boys went missing, suspected to have drowned in an ice-cold lake, one of them returns home. However, he claims he's not the person everyone knows him to be.

From the opening chapter of The Hollow Boys by Tariq Ashkanani you get an ominous feeling. You are never quite sure if this is a tale of evil perpetrated by an individual or something supernatural. There is something that seems to lurk at the periphery of the narrative, keeping you wondering and on edge as you read.

Set in a small, rundown town in America, already dealing with the downturn in industrialisation and facing devastation in the next decade as an underground coal seam burns out of control. Into this mix comes Emily Yates, a grieving mother, whose son, Danny, and his best friend, Will, died in a lake ten months earlier. The bodies of the nine-year-old boys have never been found, adding to the lack of closure for everyone concerned. Emily's mental state is fragile, frequently exploited by a local practitioner of Hoodoo. Believing that she can bring back her son, Emily performs a ritual, one which is incomplete. Suddenly, Danny stumbles into town, but Emily is warned, "There is a reckoning coming," ........ "a blood debt that needs settling."

This sinister warning, and the mysterious events which follow, keep you on edge. The author has managed to tread a fine line between reality and the supernatural. I was never quite sure which way the story would turn. There were instances, particularly late at night, where I was reluctant to read on (but I did anyway, as I was desperate to know the truth).

Desperately trying to figure out what happened to Danny is Chief of Police John Deacon. Deacon is a sympathetic character; open-minded, determined, empathetic, and someone who believes in the community he works tirelessly for. Supporting Deacon are some great characters; I particularly liked Kasey. You can feel the apprehension of the local police when two FBI agents arrive, but they prove to be supportive; their only interest is to uncover what happened ten months ago and find the boy who is still missing.

As for whether there is a supernatural element to the disappearance of the boys, you'll just have to read the book yourself and find out. The conclusion is tense and heartbreaking. The open-ended nature of the fate of one character in particular leaves the end of the book on an equally menacing note to its opening.

The Hollow Boys by Tariq Ashkanani will be published on 14th May 2026 in hardback, ebook and audio format. My thanks to NetGalley and Viper for a review copy.

Author Details

Tariq Ashkanani is a writer based in Edinburgh, Scotland. His debut thriller, Welcome to Cooper, won the Bloody Scotland Debut Award and was shortlisted for the CWA New Blood Dagger. The Cooper-verse continues in the prequel novel, Follow Me to the Edge. His latest book - THE MIDNIGHT KING - won the Bloody Scotland McIlvanney Award. When he's not writing, his dulcet tones can be heard interviewing other writers on the podcast Page One, which he co-hosts.

The Last Marriage Of Dot Brightmore by Laura Pearson

 

After sixty years apart, Mabel and Dot have finally reunited. At the age of eightysix they are determined not to waste the precious time they have left together and decide to get married. However, they have an obstacle to overcome first.

If you're a fan of author Laura Pearson, then you've probably read The Last List Of Mabel Beaumont (you can read my review here). This book is probably the gateway novel for many readers discovering the author's work. The Last Marriage Of Dot Brightmore is the sequel to that book, and while it can easily be read as a standalone novel, you will gain a greater understanding of the characters if you read Mabel's story first.

Mabel and Dot were best friends as young women, at a time when anything other than heterosexual relationships were frowned upon. Neither woman acknowledged the feelings they had for each other, instead following tradition and marrying men. Now, sixty years later, they've finally reunited and declared their love for each other. As a symbol of their love, they decide to marry, and it’s then that Dot drops her bombshell.

For me, this book is all about seizing the moment, refusing to sit back and accept the status quo or conform to societal expectations. In a bid to overcome the problem preventing their marriage from taking place, the couple jet off to America, a daunting trip at any age. To experience the trip through Mabel's eyes, someone who had never been abroad before, was wonderful. That mixture of apprehension and excitement was palpable.

There is a tinge of sadness to Dot's story, one that gently unfolds. One of the fantastic aspects of the writing is that, having been apart for sixty years, Dot and Mabel don't miraculously know everything about each other's lives; it takes time to get to know each other again. Dot is very close to her family, and eventually admits that she has lost touch with her youngest son. Mabel decides that the upcoming marriage is the ideal excuse to try to reunite them.

The supporting characters, many of whom featured in the first book, are engaging. They each have problems of their own to deal with, but demonstrate the true nature of friendship. Being there for each other, listening, and offering support, shows that nothing is insurmountable.

Although the story wasn't quite as captivating as the first book, and I do wonder if that is down to familiarity playing a part, it is filled with charm. I thoroughly enjoyed this heartwarming tale that proves love isn't defined by age.

The Last Marriage Of Dot Brightmore by Laura Pearson will be published on 8th May 2026 in paperback, ebook and audio format. My thanks to NetGalley and Boldwood Books for a review copy.

Author Details

Laura Pearson is the author of the #1 bestseller The Last List of Mabel Beaumont. She founded The Bookload on Facebook and has had several pieces published in the Guardian and the Telegraph.

Nothing Left Behind by Hannah Brennan (Audiobook)

 

Anne Evans has a long history of nuisance calls to the emergency services, so her most recent one isn't given the priority it should have. When it is realised that her call is genuine, it is too late to save Anne from the fire engulfing her home. In the aftermath, it doesn't take the fire service long to determine an accelerant was used.

Knowing I had  Nothing Left Behind by Hannah Brennan to listen to, and that it was a sequel, I recently read No Safe Place, the first book in the Detective Liz Field series (you can read my review here). I was moved by how sympathetically and informatively the author dealt with mental health issues, so I was really looking forward to the sequel.

The story opens with the police receiving one of their regular nuisance calls from "frequent flyer" Anne Evans. Anne exhibits classic signs of paranoia, convinced someone is trying to burn her house down. Unfortunately, this time around, her call is genuine, and Anne dies in the fire that engulfs her property. DCI Liz Field is called to the scene and suspects that this wasn't an accident.

Using traditional storytelling, alongside transcripts of interviews and 999 calls, you are immediately gripped by the story and the pace never relents. This is exactly what an audiobook should be like. You immediately sympathise with the neighbours who've spent years living near Anne and have now lost their home and all their possessions. As the transcripts continue, you are gradually drawn into Anne's life and realise how shocking her background is. I felt myself gasp when I discovered that Anne wasn't paranoid; there was some truth to her claims. This changed my whole perspective of her. She went from being a nuisance to becoming a terrified victim.

Alongside the arson and murder investigation, another police team are dealing with a murder case in which a local charity worker was shot dead. The contrast between the police and public opinions of the two victims is startling, showing how easily we judge people and jump to conclusions based on the scant information we have. Field begins to wonder if the two murders are connected.

I quickly found myself listening to "just one more chapter", desperate to know more and shocked with each revelation. There were some extremely tense moments, as Field narrowed in on the suspect, and I found myself grimacing over one particular scene. Hannah Brennan doesn't present a sanitised story; this comes across as realistic, showing the day-to-day danger faced by the emergency services. While the conclusion is satisfying, I found it tinged with sadness because of the lives that were impacted. I can't wait to see what the forthcoming third book in the series is like.

Nothing Left Behind by Hannah Brennan will be published on 23rd April 2026 in paperback, ebook and audio format. My thanks to NetGalley and Avon for a review copy.

Author Details

Hannah Brennan lives in South East London, where she was born and raised.

She studied English Literature at Durham University – alongside British Sign Language, which she uses in her role as a trustee for the Royal Association for Deaf People. After returning from the North East, Hannah has turned her love of pubs into a career, working in marketing and technology for many fantastic British hospitality brands.

Hannah is a fanatic book-collector, with a passion for crime fiction and television. She is also one of the organisers of Greenwich Writers, a South-East London writing group.

Hannah developed OCD as a teenager, and hopes that her debut novel, No Safe Place, may give readers a fresh insight into a frequently misunderstood and misrepresented condition.