The Scholars by MacKenzie Common

 

Five brilliant scholars are awarded postgraduate scholarships to Oxford University. The scholarships are a stepping stone to greatness; recipients go on to be leaders in their field, Nobel prize winners, and even world leaders. This year's students have all the hallmarks of greatness, until one of them dies mysteriously and secrets are uncovered.

Last year I read The Six Murders Of Daphne St Clair, a riveting story of a 90-year-old serial killer who suddenly decides to confess (you can read my review here). When I was offered the opportunity to read MacKenzie Common's new novel, The Scholars, I leapt at the chance.

I find that the genre of dark academia can be very hit and miss; much of the time, it is down to the accessibility of the writing. I want something that grabs my attention quickly, keeps me engrossed, and is easy to read. Luckily, MacKenzie Common manages to do all of this in her latest offering. We are introduced to the protagonists immediately; Azelle, Finn, Hadley, Mabel, and Hugo are all shining lights in their respective fields and have their feet planted firmly in the modern world. 

Not long after we meet the five students, one of them is dead, the result of a fall. Initially, it is assumed that it was a tragic accident. However, when it is revealed that the individual was going to disclose extremely dark secrets about at least one of the other scholars, all thoughts turn to the possibility of murder.

I found my feelings for the characters swing wildly. Initially, I found them condescending, as if there was some kind of competition to see who was the most deserving among them. Following the accident, I was sympathetic as they were collectively treated with suspicion. As rumors swirled, my skepticism went into overdrive, wondering which of the remaining four could be trusted. The use of message board posts within the narrative is used effectively to slowly reveal lies and deceit. Not only did I begin to doubt the amazing claims made by each scholar, but we also witnessed the characters begin to turn on each other.

The author keeps you in suspense regarding the identity of the murderer until the very end, and then produces a sublime twist, thoroughly in keeping with the nature of all the characters involved.

The Scholars by MacKenzie Common will be published on 24th September 2026 in paperback and ebook format. My thanks to NetGalley and Headline for a review copy.

Author Details

MacKenzie Common is a Canadian author who was born in Newfoundland, spent most of her childhood in North Bay, Ontario and then at 21 moved to the UK where she lived for twelve years. She has a PhD in Law and worked as an expert on human rights issues in social media content moderation. MacKenzie loves swimming, travelling, paddleboarding, good chocolate, bad TV, Mexican food and comedy. As a child, she was frequently called morbid but she seems to have found a market for that. She currently lives in Alberta, Canada with her partner, two children, and one very spoiled pug.

The Cornish Halloween Murder by Fiona Leitch

 

Jodie Parker is asked to investigate the appearance of strange dolls that are found around an old convent that is in the process of being redeveloped. Are residents, upset at the work taking place, trying to scare off the developers, or is there something more sinister happening?

I cannot believe that The Cornish Halloween Murder by Fiona Leitch is book 11 in the Nosey Parker cozy crime series. I have enjoyed every single book in the series, but this is definitely my favourite. Each time I revisit Jodie and her family and friends it feels as if I'm spending time with friends, and catching up on their lives.

The initial investigation stems from a property developer uncovering strange dolls as they strip back an old convent that is being converted into flats. Local residents are unhappy as they feel that a medical centre would be more appropriate, so the developer isn't sure if the dolls have been planted to try to scare him and his builders off. I really found this whole aspect of the story unsettling. The dolls, or poppets, have links to witchcraft, and their description is extremely creepy.

During the investigation, a body is found in the convent. Jodie, along with her husband, a police detective, then has to figure out if the death is linked to the dolls. The ominous feeling intensifies as the building was locked, and CCTV shows no one entering or leaving.

There are a variety of themes that are interwoven to keep the reader guessing: balancing profit and need in property development, toxic masculinity, and the historical treatment of young single women who get pregnant. As I read, my feelings swung between dread, anger, and sadness. One scene in particular was immensely poignant, and shocking to consider that the events described took place only 50 years ago.

This is cozy crime, so there are some humorous moments to help lighten the tone, Jodie's mother is in classic form as usual, and I always enjoy the scenes involving her friend Debbie (a much underused character, in my opinion). While I thought the murderer became fairly obvious towards the end of the story, I did like the way everything was concluded.

The Cornish Halloween Murder by Fiona Leitch will be published on 24th September 2026 in paperback, ebook, and audio format. My thanks to NetGalley and One More Chapter for a review copy.

Author Details

Fiona Leitch is a writer with a chequered past. She’s written for football and motoring magazines, DJ’ed at illegal raves and is a stalwart of the low budget TV commercial, even appearing as the Australasian face of a cleaning product called ‘Sod Off’. After living in London and Cornwall she’s finally settled in sunny New Zealand, where she enjoys scaring her cats by trying out dialogue on them. She spends her days dreaming of retiring to a crumbling Venetian palazzo, walking on the windswept beaches of West Auckland, and writing funny, flawed but awesome female characters.

Her debut novel ‘Dead in Venice’ was published by Audible in 2018 as one of their Crime Grant finalists. Fiona also writes screenplays and was a finalist in the Athena Film Festival Writers Lab, co-run by Meryl Streep’s IRIS company.

Truth Will Out by N. J. Hatton

 

Jack Kilby is filled with panic as he rushes his pregnant wife to hospital; it's far too early for their baby to be born. A momentary distraction results in him hitting and killing a cyclist. Leaving the body at the side of the country lane, he continues on to the hospital. In the aftermath, wracked with guilt, he realises that he needs to turn himself in to the police, but when he gets there, he discovers they've already arrested the person they believe is responsible.

I spotted a review for Truth Will Out by N. J. Hatton on Instagram, and it sounded like the type of thriller I'd enjoy. I certainly wasn't wrong. This is incredibly twisty, with the type of moral dilemma that makes you think about how you'd react in the same situation. Jack isn't trying to avoid owning up to his crime; he's simply hoping that he can buy himself and his wife a little extra time to ensure the survival of their unborn child. Luckily, he's a defence lawyer, so he is able to represent the wrongly accused man, keeping him out of jail for as long as possible.

While Jack is the main character, we also gain the perspective of others involved in the story. It is difficult not to empathise with the individuals involved in this tragic tale. Jack wants to buy time, but he's torn when he begins to see the effect representing the accused has on his family. Callum, the accused, is desperate to prove his innocence, a difficult thing to do when he's part of a notorious criminal family. Alongside this, we see the reactions of the victim's family. Alice wants revenge for her brother's death, and Harry is frantically trying to protect his daughter while coming to terms with the tragedy.

By using a variety of POV's, the pace never lets up, and the numerous twists leave you slack-jawed. My heart was racing as I frantically turned the pages towards the end, wondering if anyone would survive the shocking events. Then just as my heart rate started to settle, N. J. Hatton managed to throw in one almighty twist, something that made me question a lot of my assumptions.

Truth Will Out by N. J. Hatton will be published on 10th September 2026 in paperback, ebook, and audio format. My thanks to NetGalley and Hera Books for a review copy.

Author Details

N. J. Hatton is an award-winning screenwriter and director whose work has screened on Netflix, BBC, Sky, and Disney+ and a recent Alumnus of Faber Academy. My second novel will be published in June 2027.

The Correspondent by Virginia Evans

 

Elderly Sybil Van Antwerp spends her days tending her garden, reading books, and writing letters. Given a glimpse into the letters she writes, we learn of the diverse relationships she has with family, friends, and acquaintances.

The Correspondent by Virginia Evans has been on my radar since it was first published. Having recently purchased a copy of the paperback, I moved it to the top of my TBR. I do enjoy novels written in epistolary format, short passages keep me turning the pages, and the voyeuristic aspect is difficult to avoid. 

I liked the main character, Sybil. She's a highly educated woman, having been a successful lawyer. Divorce and a difficult relationship with her children have led to her living alone. Sybil is a stubborn woman and is adamant that, despite being alone, she's not lonely; she has lots to fill her time, particularly her insistence on keeping the art of letter writing alive. I loved the way in which Sybil would write to authors if she wanted to share her opinions of their books, and some authors wrote back! 

Through the content of various letters, we learn of aspects of Sybil's life which give us a greater understanding of her character. Both grief and guilt have impacted the choices Sybil has made, and continues to make (I did say she was stubborn). With her eyesight failing, Sybil finally begins to address the issues that have troubled her in recent years. Building bridges, accepting the hand of friendship, and travelling are not easy when you are in your seventies, and even harder when you are never sure if your vision will suddenly disappear, so it was lovely to see Sybil lowering her defences and finding joy in whatever life still had to offer.

Author Details

Virginia Evans is from the east coast of the United States. She attended James Madison University for her bachelor’s in English literature. After starting a family, she went back to school for her master’s of philosophy in creative writing at Trinity College in Dublin, Ireland, where she had the good fortune to study under Carlo Gébler, Eoin McNamee, Claire Keegan, Harry Clifton and Kevin Power. She now lives in Winston-Salem, North Carolina, with her husband, Mark, two children, Jack and Mae, and her Red Labrador, Brigid.

The Pumpkin Pie Book Nook by Harper Graham (Audiobook)

 

Robyn is taking a sabbatical from her job as a professor at Yale. During her time off, she is looking after The Pumpkin Pie Book Nook in Maple Falls for a friend. Challenges await Robyn: finding the parts of an old manuscript, preventing someone from buying the shop to turn it into a grocery store, and, toughest of all, not falling for her colleague, Tyler.

I do enjoy visiting Maple Falls on a regular basis. If you haven't read any of the series, I would heartily recommend starting at the very beginning. In The Pumpkin Pie Book Nook, book 5 in the series, author Harper Graham takes us back to Maple Falls during autumn. This is the season that shows the small town and its tight-knit community at its best. Using the same narrator, Andie Eloise, for the whole series certainly helps you feel as if you are part of the story.

Both Robyn and Tyler are likeable characters, and the chemistry between them is instant. It is easy to understand the reluctance they both display. Not only is Robyn recovering from a broken heart, but she is only staying in Maple Falls for a few weeks. Tyler has his daughter to think about; he doesn't want Emma to become attached to someone who isn't going to be around for long.

The pair find it impossible to resist the attraction they feel, and there are some hot and steamy scenes (if you listen to this as an audiobook, I would definitely recommend earphones). Both Robyn and Tyler are grappling with the growing feelings they have for the other person, and time isn't helping. Added to all of this is the fact that the book shop is looking for a new owner, and the only person interested intends to turn it into a grocery store. 

With the help of the wonderful community of Maple Falls, things turn out exactly as you would expect, and we are given a hint as to what will follow in book 6, The Sugar And Spice Kitchen, which is due out in October.

The Pumpkin Pie Book Nook by Harper Graham is available in paperback, ebook, and audio format. My thanks to NetGalley and Bookouture for a review copy.

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.

Serenity Falls by C. J. Tudor

 

Dan Barker and his daughter Sadie, inherit a house in the model town of Serenity Falls. The chance to start a new life seems perfect, until they move into their new home and strange things begin to happen. Is Serenity Falls as perfect as everyone makes out?

I'm not a fan of horror in general, so I tend to shy away from the genre in my TV, film, and reading selections. However, I know that C. J. Tudor will serve up just the right level of terror to keep me feeling unsettled, but unable to stop reading, without giving me nightmares. The author's latest book, Serenity Falls, does just that. Even the cover is enough to make you feel perturbed, the juxtaposition of the beautiful sunset with the tag line "Once you're here, you're here to stay..."

The mystery begins early in the story when Dan inherits a house in Florida worth millions of pounds. He's puzzled that his mother had never mentioned an expensive property she had owned for decades. A fresh start is just what Dan needs; his daughter isn't so keen.

Both Dan and Sadie are extremely likeable characters; their relationship is strong, having been forged in the decade since their wife and mother, Nat, disappeared. Dan is a flawed individual; he's very protective of his daughter, which is understandable since he's a lone parent. He's also well aware that trying to wrap Sadie in cotton wool is likely to backfire. The mystery surrounding Nat's disappearance is one that recurs throughout the book, keeping you undecided about Dan's true nature. Sadie is independent and intelligent, slightly rebellious, but always considerate of other people. It's her inquisitive nature that drives the story forward.

As for Serenity Falls itself, on the surface, it looks and sounds perfect, a community where crime doesn't happen. Hearing from various residents of the town throughout the narrative makes you realise that not everything is picture perfect, with bizarre accidents making you hesitate. As Dan and Sadie search for answers about one of the accidents that happened at their new home, you realise that something sinister lurks just below the surface.

There are a variety of reasons why people don't leave Serenity Falls. When the shocking truth is finally revealed, you feel sympathetic towards some of the characters trapped by circumstance and horror at the vision imagined by the creator of the idyllic community.

Serenity Falls by C. J. Tudor will be published on the 10th September 2026 in hardback, ebook, and audio format. My thanks to NetGalley and Penguin Michael Joseph for a review copy.

 

Author Details

C. J. Tudor’s love of writing, especially the dark and macabre, started young. When her peers were reading Judy Blume, she was devouring Stephen King and James Herbert. Over the years she has had a variety of jobs, including trainee reporter, radio scriptwriter, dog walker, voiceover, television presenter and copywriter.

She is now the Sunday Times bestselling author of The Chalk Man, The Taking of Annie Thorne, The Other People, The Burning Girls, The Drift and The Gathering. All of her books are in development or optioned for TV. The Burning Girls is available on Netflix.

She is also the author of a short story collection, A Sliver of Darkness.

To All The Men I've Killed Before by Katy Brent (Audiobook)

 

Kitty Collins is on a mission. She's determined to seek revenge on the man who brutally attacked her best friend. Kitty heads to Los Angeles on the trail of Aiden Ward, but she's not alone this time. Alongside Kitty is her newly found half-sister, Antoinette, a serial killer in training.

To All The Men I've Killed Before by Katy Brent follows on directly from I Bet You'd Look Good In A Coffin (you can read my review here). This is the third book in the Kitty Collins series, and is definitely my favourite. While you can read them as standalone stories, I would recommend reading them in order to see the character development. I found the audiobook engrossing. I was totally consumed by the story, thanks to the wonderful narration of Victoria Morrison and Imogen Front. I found myself losing huge chunks of time as I listened to "just one more chapter".

After the events of the previous book and the end of her relationship, mellow Kitty is no more; we're back to the empowered woman determined to rid the world of predators. First and foremost, however, is her determination to avenge her friend. The perpetrator has fled to LA. and Kitty doesn't hesitate in following him. The addition of her half-sister to the storyline certainly adds to the narrative. Kitty has honed her skills over the years, but being in an unfamiliar location brings problems of its own without the added complication of Antoinette discovering how much she enjoys killing. The humour is dark and firmly tongue in cheek, but there is a strong ethical message focused around the #MeToo movement.

I did like the range of characters introduced, particularly the private investigator Travis. The array of different characters keeps you guessing as to the identity of the villain, and there are plenty of twists to add to the uncertainty. As the story sped towards the conclusion, not only was I still unsure, I was also worried for the fate of Kitty and Antoinette. The twist involving Kitty herself certainly puts a new spin on things, opening a whole host of new problems for any future books.

To All The Men I've Killed Before by Katy Brent will be published on 27th August 2026 in paperback, ebook, and audio format. My thanks to NetGalley and HarperCollins UK for a review copy.

Author Details

Katy Brent is the author of three novels. Previously an award-winning journalist, she always dreamed of writing a book and lockdown finally gave her the excuse to do it.