September 2025 Reads

 

WOW, another month down. It's hard to believe that we're three-quarters of the way through the year. September brought some new experiences for me. I took part in my first-ever readalong on Instagram. This was a fun way of reading and discussing a book, but for me I really enjoyed the way it challenged me to experiment more with stories and reels. I also took part in Big Read 2025. I have a giveaway linked to this running over on Instagram if you are interested (link to giveaway).

September began with a festive murder mystery, 12 Ways To Kill Your Family At Christmas by Natasha Bache. Olivia Weiss has to get through just one more Christmas holiday with her husband’s wealthy but obnoxious family before they jet off for a new life in Australia. One accidental death, quickly followed by another, begins to raise suspicions. It’s impossible to guess who in this fun read.

Vanished by Tim Weaver is the third book in the David Raker series. Raker searches for people who have gone missing, individuals the police have given up on. This time around, he’s searching for a married man who got on a tube train one morning and never got off. Raker is as tenacious as ever, with his investigation leading him to a hidden side of London and the murkier side of humanity. Puzzling and gripping, with an ending that leaves you speechless.

Book 22 in the Roy Grace series by Peter James is The Hawk Is Dead and opens with an attempt to assassinate Queen Camilla. I suspect this book was the most fun to write for the author, as we see the investigation switch from Sussex to Buckingham Palace. We learn about the running of the royal household and the valuable collections stored within its walls. Grace even gets to meet the King and Queen as he uncovers a sinister plot taking place in the Palace.

This month, I took part in my first “Readalong” with the Tandem Collective. I thoroughly enjoyed The Cinnamon Spice Inn by Harper Graham. The romance was a little predictable; however, the setting, the small American town of Maple Falls, was beautiful. I wanted to pack my bags and buy a one-way ticket. I’m definitely going to check out the rest of the series when they are published.

After reading We’ll Prescribe You A Cat by Syou Ishida, I said I’d read more Japanese literature as the themes and style really appealed to me. Unfortunately, I didn’t find the time to do so until the sequel, We’ll Prescribe You Another Cat, was published. Yes, it’s more of the same, but there’s nothing wrong with being reminded about what our priorities in life should be in the most charming way possible.

The Cornish Christmas Pantomime Murder by Fiona Leitch is book 9 in the cosy crime series. This time around, a member of an amateur dramatic group is murdered during the opening night performance of the Christmas pantomime. Luckily, Jodie is in the audience and, through nosiness and luck, manages to discover clues to unmask the murderer. Lovely characters, subtle humour and plenty of red herrings keep you engaged.

Harrogate Festivals run an annual event to encourage reading across the North, and my local library was involved this year.  The Potting Shed Murder by Paula Sutton was the book discussed. Set in a quaint Norfolk village, the local headmaster is found dead on his allotment. Recent newcomer to the village, Daphne Brewster, finds herself investigating. Although I found the book far too descriptive, I did enjoy the plot and all the false trails the author left for the reader.

Let The Bells Ring, book 23 from Milly Johnson, sees her returning to the theme of magic at Christmas as seven strangers find themselves stuck on a train over Christmas. The train belongs to a millionaire, so it is the height of luxury. Each person is grappling with a problem, and Christmas just isn’t going to be an enjoyable time for any of them. Thanks to their isolated location, walls quickly tumble and they realise that a problem shared is a problem halved. This is a perfect read for the winter months.

My final book of the month was my book group read, Rules For Perfect Murders by Peter Swanson. A bookstore owner is approached by an FBI agent who thinks someone is committing murders following a list he wrote on his blog. The list featured eight perfect murders from classic crime fiction. The tone of the story fitted well with the theme, and I felt very unsettled throughout, completely unsure about who the murderer was.

I only managed one audiobook this month, Hitwoman by Elsie Marks. Maisie is a gun for hire; however, she has a strict ethical code and only assassinates people who deserve to die. On her latest job, she discovers someone gets there before her. Who is the mystery assassin? This was fun to listen to, a slightly different take on the female killer genre, but predictable.

Publication dates to watch out for are:-

12 Ways To Kill Your Family At Christmas by Natasha Bache will be published on 9/10/25 in paperback, ebook and audio format.

The Hawk Is Dead by Peter James will be published on 21/10/25 in hardback, ebook and audio format.

Let The Bells Ring Out by Milly Johnson will be published on 23/10/25 in hardback, ebook and audio format.

The Cornish Christmas Pantomime Murder by Fiona Leitch will be published on 31/10/25 in ebook and audio format, with the paperback published on 6/11/26.

Hitwoman by Elsie Marks will be published as an ebook on 1/11/25, with the paperback and audiobook available on 6/11/25.