Vivian Dies Again by C. E. Hulse

 

Vivian is stuck in a loop. Someone keeps murdering her. After each murder, her life resets to the start of the same family event she was attending when the murder took place. Who's behind the murder, and how can she stop the same thing from happening over and over again?

I just loved the synopsis for Vivian Dies Again by C. E. Hulse. The idea of a murder mystery, combined with the sci-fi element of a time loop, fascinated me. 

There is a slow buildup to the event in which the murder takes place, this is to give us a very clear picture of Vivian. Although she's thirty-six, her lifestyle is anything but stable. She's bounced around from job to job, rents a room from her closest "friend", and is considered to be the black sheep of the family. As far as her family is concerned, she's a failure. Once the life and soul of the party, she's now just an embarrassment; her actions are completely unpredictable, and she refuses to take responsibility when things go wrong.

Vivian knows she can't go on in this way and is hoping that attending a family memorial will give her the chance to mend some bridges. What she doesn't expect is for another attendee to murder her. It's only after the eighty-fourth attempt that she begins to understand what is happening.

The concept of the time loop is clever. Imagine Groundhog Day, but you have no memory every time the loop restarts. The only person who has any idea is Jamie, a waiter at the event. By the eighty-fourth reset, Jamie is quickly able to persuade Vivian about what is happening and convinces her to find out who is set on killing her, hoping that this will be the only way to prevent the endless cycle.

The introduction of Jamie is what makes this story ingenious. While everyone else could keep repeating the same few hours, Jamie is living things in real-time and is exhausted. This poses many questions, mainly what will happen if he's not around when Vivian is killed? Will the loop end?  The investigation becomes very much a race against time.

I really liked the concept, and the mystery elements kept me guessing right to the end. Unfortunately, the pace, particularly at the beginning, stopped me from loving the story.

Vivian Dies Again by C. E. Hulse will be published in hardback and ebook format on 29th January 2026. My thanks to NetGalley and Viper Books for a review copy.

Author Details

C.E. Hulse lives in Manchester with her husband and a small controlling dog. She is the author of four books under the name Caroline Hulse: The Adults, Like a House on Fire, All the Fun of the Fair, and Reasonable People. Her work has been published in fourteen languages, optioned for television, and – surreally – one book is being produced as an opera. Vivian Dies Again is her debut crime novel.

My Husband's Wife by Alice Feeney

 

When Eden Fox returns home, she discovers a strange woman in her house claiming that she's Eden Fox. Even more distressing, her husband is siding with the stranger. With no phone or identification, Eden struggles to prove who she is in this psychological thriller filled with twists and turns.

Alice Feeney has knocked it out of the park with her latest novel, My Husband's Wife. The opening pages immediately grab you and fill you with intrigue. Who is the real Eden Fox? As we follow Eden's quest to prove her identity, we learn that she and her husband, Harrison, have recently moved to the small Cornish village of Hope Falls. While Harrison has spent much of his time in London for work, Eden has been a bit of a recluse, devoting her time to remodeling the old property they have bought. As a result, she doesn't know any of the locals so she can't turn to them for proof of her identity. You can feel Eden's desperation as every avenue she pursues yields nothing.

Intertwined with Eden's story is that of Olivia 'Birdy' Bird, a fascinating character. Birdy is an assertive woman, happy in her own company. There is a slightly menacing aura to Birdy, making you wonder about her background. The big question is how the two storylines connected.

As the narrative alternates between Eden and Birdy, we see their stories merge. This convergence brings the reader no closer to answers as each chapter seems to introduce a new shocking revelation, adding to the overall mystery and keeping you turning the pages. The author has crafted such an intricate psychological thriller that it's impossible to guess where each revelation will lead. As I turned the final page, I sat slack-jawed, marvelling at the unanticipated conclusion and saddened to have finished such an engrossing novel.

My Husband's Wife by Alice Feeney will be published on 27th January 2026 in hardback, ebook and audio format. My thanks to NetGalley and Pan Macmillan for a review copy.

Author Details

Alice Feeney is a New York Times million-copy bestselling author of novels including His & Hers, Sometimes I Lie, Rock Paper Scissors and Daisy Darker. Her books have been translated into over thirty-five languages, and have been optioned for major screen adaptations, with His & Hers currently in production for Netflix, produced by Jessica Chastain, and starring Tessa Thompson and Jon Bernthal.

Not Another Bloody Christmas by Jo Middleton

 

Determined to make up for the disastrous Christmas Eve the year before, Anna and her family head off to spend Christmas at a luxury retreat. Unfortunately, catastrophe seems to be following them, and they end up embroiled in another murder.

After reading Happy Bloody Christmas by Jo Middleton earlier this month, I decided that the sequel, Not Another Bloody Christmas, should make its way to the top of the TBR pile. Both these books are perfect for the festive season.

It's a year on from Anna discovering a dead body in her larder on Christmas Eve. This time around, the family has decided to get away from it all and booked a few days away at Whispering Pines, a luxury retreat in an old manor house. Despite some renovation taking place, the family is happy as they have the whole place to themselves, alongside Mrs Haddock, the housekeeper. 

Things begin to go lopsided when, late in the day, another party turns up. Six adults and two children, who all know each other through family and/or work connections, put a dampener on the magical and relaxed Christmas Anna was hoping for.

Matters take a serious turn when one of the group is discovered dead the following morning. Initially, everyone believes the victim has had a heart attack, but Anna is not so sure and begins to investigate. The situation becomes even more complicated when they discover that they are snowed in.

As with the first book, the author delights in poking fun at middle-class, middle-aged, middle-England, alongside the detecting efforts frequently seen in TV dramas. The setting of an old manor house, with open fireplaces and lots of reception rooms, makes you think of Scooby-Doo or Cluedo. It is the many cultural references, alongside the irreverence, that make this such a fun read.

Everyone is a suspect; they have the means, motive or opportunity. By the conclusion, Anna's scatter gun approach of accusing everyone is put to full effect and is reminiscent of an Agatha Christie story. I just wonder where Anna will end up next year.

Author Details

Jo Middleton is a writer, mum of two grown up children and slave to a golden retriever and three cats, named after fictional detectives. Jo published her first novel, Playgroups and Prosecco, in 2019 and has since gone on to work with her good friend Gill Sims, hosting her 2022 theatre tour and co-hosting a podcast, It’s Five O’clock Somewhere. 

Jo lives in Somerset and when she’s not working or tending to a pet she loves reading murder mysteries, binge-watching dating reality TV shows and being dragged around the countryside by her disrespectful dog Mako.

On A Night Like This by Lindsey Kelk (Audiobook)

 

After relocating from London, Fran Cooper has filled her time with lots of temp jobs. When she's offered a lucrative five-day contract, she defies her fiancé and ends up mixing with the rich and famous, an experience that makes her reconsider the choices she's made.

I've only read one of Lindsey Kelk's books before, and that was her debut novel, I Heart New York. As I was browsing Borrowbox, looking for something light to listen to as I got on with Christmas preparations, I decided to try On A Night Like This. It's easy listening, predictable, and perfect for this time of year.

Fran was a successful PA in London. When her fiancé inherited his grandmother's house in Sheffield she agreed to move with him. Unfortunately, she's never found permanent employment since and has been filling her time with temp jobs. You can feel Fran's frustration; not only has she left behind the hustle and bustle of city life, but she's also stalled in her career. The chance to spend five days in London on a temporary contract is one she jumps at, even though she doesn't know who she'll be working for.

When she gets to London, Fran discovers she's going to be an assistant to one of the world's biggest pop stars, Juliette, on board a luxury yacht while she travels to Italy to perform at an exclusive event, the Crystal Ball. Fran is in awe of her new boss and her luxurious surroundings. She finds Juliette far more down-to-earth than expected and soon gives in to her demands and ends up sharing drunken secrets. 

What Fran doesn't realise is that Juliette is also fickle and soon finds herself abandoned on an Italian island, the location of the ball. Fran ends up sneaking into the ball, a dazzling experience, attended by the wealthy and powerful. It is easy to understand Fran being a little starstruck by everything she sees. One of the attendees is a handsome stranger she bumped into in the town. Evan comes across as entirely normal, a true gentleman, and accompanies Fran all evening.

This is very much a Cinderella story with Fran returning to normal life at the end of her contract. However, it does make her re-evaluate her life. She realises that she continually sacrifices her own needs and opinions to keep others happy. It was lovely to see an empowered Fran take control of her life, and who knows, maybe Prince Charming will put in an appearance for the finale.

I thoroughly enjoyed listening to this; the glitz and glamour, the diva personalities, Fran blossoming, and the predictability were just what I needed. I'll certainly be checking out more of the author's books in the future.

Author Details

Lindsey Kelk is the Sunday Times and USA Today bestselling author of romcoms, including Christmas Fling, The Christmas Wish, the I Heart series, and fantasy series, The Bell Witches.

As well as writing, Lindsey co-hosts Tights and Fights, a pro-wrestling podcast on the Maximum Fun network, and hosts and produces the award-winning beauty podcast, Full Coverage.

Born and raised in South Yorkshire, Lindsey lived in Nottingham, London and New York before settling in Los Angeles, California where she lives with her husband and their ridiculous cats.

Happy Bloody Christmas by Jo Middleton

It's Christmas Eve, and Anna stumbles downstairs with the hangover from hell. She has a long list of tasks to sort out as she's hosting her in-laws on Christmas Day. Her plans grind to a halt when she discovers Santa Claus dead in her larder.

I was determined to fit in one festive read during December, and heard so much praise for Happy Bloody Christmas by Jo Middleton that it immediately made its way to the top of the TBR pile.

This is a very irreverent festive murder mystery. Anna's situation the morning after hosting a party is probably familiar to many readers. I would assume the author is speaking from experience as she describes Anna's delicate condition the morning after. Humour saturates the narrative as Anna discovers a dead body in her walk-in larder, the pièce de résistance of her kitchen. An unexpected dead body is bad enough, but to make matters worse, it's her creepy boss wearing a Father Christmas outfit. She's immediately concerned that her seven-year-old daughter will be traumatised if she sees a dead Santa.

Anna's concern for her daughter is a typical reaction; she's one of those people who catastrophise everything. I loved the insight we had into her thought processes. The best way of describing them is to imagine a steel ball ricocheting around a pinball machine. It was hilarious that, upon finding a crime had been committed in her home, she immediately thought about TV crime shows such as Death In Paradise as a point of reference.

With police officers more interested in the buffet back at the police station, Anna decides to investigate the murder herself. As she interrogates the evidence and individuals, the author pokes fun at how technologically illiterate the middle-aged are, the obsession the middle-class have with brand names, and the idea that anyone you know would be capable of committing any type of crime. The investigation process is chaotic and frequently hilarious.

There are some important messages embedded within the story, tolerance and loneliness being two of them. However, for me, the main message that came across was that Christmas is about being present, rather than being perfect. It's the quality time spent with family and friends and not the Instagram-worthy tablescape that will be remembered.

After such a fun read, I'm hoping I can squeeze the sequel, Not Another Bloody Christmas, in this festive season.

Author Details

Jo Middleton is a writer, mum of two grown up children and slave to a golden retriever and three cats, named after fictional detectives. Jo published her first novel, Playgroups and Prosecco, in 2019 and has since gone on to work with her good friend Gill Sims, hosting her 2022 theatre tour and co-hosting a podcast, It’s Five O’clock Somewhere. Happy Bloody Christmas is her first crime novel and is an amalgamation of everything she loves best - murder at Christmas, what's not to love?

Jo lives in Somerset and when she’s not working or tending to a pet she loves reading murder mysteries, binge-watching dating reality TV shows and being dragged around the countryside by her disrespectful dog Mako.

#CoverReveal The Ossians by Doug Johnstone

I'm delighted to be taking part in the cover reveal for the newly reissued 20th anniversary edition of The Ossians from Doug Johnstone and Orenda Books.

Doug Johnston is one of my favorite authors. I love both the Skelf series and the Enceladons trilogy. I keep promising myself that I'll read some of his standalone novels. The synopsis of The Ossians, which will be republished on 9th April 2026, sounds enticing, filled with dark humour.

You can pre-order from here.

Synopsis

Connor is twenty-four, brilliant, broken, and out of control. He's the swaggering frontman of The Ossians, a Scottish indie band on the brink of signing a major record deal.

Desperate to make their mark, they head off on a two-week winter tour across the cities and hinterlands of Scotland – a last-ditch attempt to find fame, purpose, and themselves.

But the tour soon spirals into a surreal, chaotic odyssey. From seedy bars and snowbound towns to a final, defining Glasgow gig, the band hurtles through a whirlwind of seagull massacres, botched drug deals, a mysterious stalker, radioactive beaches, bomb-testing ranges, epileptic fits, riotous Russian submariners, deadly storms, epiphanies, regular beatings and random shootings.

Raw, darkly funny and wild with energy, The Ossians is a gloriously anarchic story of rock'n'roll obsession, national identity and self-destruction, and what it means to belong – in a band, in a country, in a life unravelling at speed.

Room 706 by Ellie Levenson

 

Kate Bright felt guilty enough meeting her lover in a London hotel, but when terrorists take control of the hotel, she feels even worse. Forced to hide in her room, she reflects on her life and how she has ended up where she is.

There has been such a buzz about Room 706 by Ellie Levenson that I leapt for joy when I was given access to an eARC. As a lover of thrillers, I settled down ready for a suspense-filled tale of survival, what I ended up reading was a much more nuanced story of love, deceit and forgiveness.

The opening chapter grabs your attention and has you desperate to know more. We are then introduced to Kate, and she doesn't come across well; her sole focus that morning had been to get out of the house so she could meet her lover. While she hasn't quite abandoned her two young children, her priority is meeting her lover, James.

Once it becomes obvious that the hotel is in lockdown and Kate and James are hiding in their room, we get three very distinct threads that weave together to form the narrative. Firstly, there is the current situation, the panic and fear of not being in control of the situation, and the unknown danger. Kate comes across as very real; she is hesitant about what to do for the best, frightened for her own safety, and worried about explaining things to her husband.

The second storyline takes us back fifteen years, and we meet Kate in her early twenties studying in Italy. Kate is grieving the untimely death of her mother, her only relative, and is feeling very lonely in Italy. By chance, she meets Vic, who is ten years older, recovering from burnout. Slowly, with the help of Vic's Italian Nonna, the pair falls in love. The final storyline is how Kate meets her lover and their relationship over the previous six years.

Through the intertwined stories, we get greater insight into Kate's character and how she has changed over sixteen years. When we first meet Kate, she's simply existing. Vic's gentle nature is just what she needs to help her mend. Vic is empathetic thanks to his own recent mental health issues. The age gap, the introversion of both characters and the support they find in each other lead to a very quiet life. It is therefore understandable that Kate is bewitched when an older man shows her attention and offers her passion without commitment. 

As the hours tick by, Kate reflects on her life and her relationships. She begins to understand how important seemingly inconsequential details are, such as family recipes and passwords for grocery deliveries. She also contemplates the relationship she has with both men, weighing the excitement James offers with the stability and unconditional love offered by Vic. The important question is, if she survives, which life does she want?

Room 706 by Ellie Levenson will be published on 15th January 2026 in hardback, ebook and audio format. My thanks to NetGalley and Headline for a review copy.

Author Details

Ellie Levenson is a freelance journalist whose work has appeared across many national newspapers and magazines. She lives in London with her family.

What Happened That Summer by Laura Pearson

 

Summer 1996 shocked the world when the biggest pop star of the year tragically died at a theme park in the UK. Mystery has surrounded the actual events until, almost twenty years later, a podcast delves back into the mystery.

Author Laura Pearson is one of those writers who I know is going to deliver something special, something different. What Happened That Summer certainly fits that description. The novel is a little different from the author's more recent novels, featuring a mystery rather than a mystical element.

I loved the style, told as a transcript for a podcast. Although the chapters are long, the fact that it is a transcript makes it easy to put down mid-chapter. However, once you start reading, you are completely engrossed by the storyline and unlikely to want to stop.

Podcaster Danny interviews lots of people involved with the events leading to the death of teen pop star AJ Silver. The main characters are the Hunter family, who own the theme park, and the Campbells, AJ's family. It is interesting getting so many different perspectives, particularly when they contradict each other. It is also obvious that, even twenty years later, some people haven't been entirely honest and open.

This is primarily a romance. You can feel the euphoria of Penelope 'Pea' Hunter and Zak Campbell as their young love blossoms. The setting of early summer in a world without smartphones and emails adds to the heady mix. However, things are not without their complications; jealousy isn't far away. The couple also has to contend with AJ being around. AJ is not a likeable character, he displays all the traits you would expect from a diva. There are sympathetic moments, where you realise that he's had to grow up under the glare of spotlights, constantly in the media's attention, when at heart he's still a child, a child who no one is willing to say no to.

As the narrative weaves its way through the build-up to the arrival of AJ and his entourage, his time at the theme park, and then the accident, I found myself looking for subtle clues, frantically turning the pages, desperate to know what was going to happen. The repercussions have a seismic effect on everyone, with the podcast relating the way in which lives were changed forever. I'd grown to care for the characters I'd read about and was upset by the way some of their lives had been impacted. There's also a mystique hanging over everything, and a bombshell revelation that makes you sit up and question what you've read. The conclusion puts to rest some of the uncertainty that has surrounded AJ Silver's death for twenty years, but still leaves the reader needing to know more.

What Happened That Summer by Laura Pearson will be published on 3rd January 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.

#BlogTour No Oil Painting by Genevieve Marenghi

I'm delighetd to be taking part in the Blog Tour for No Oil Painting by Genevieve Marenghi. Read on for details of a competion connected with the tour.

Synopsis

A respectable septuagenarian steals a valuable painting and later tries to return it, with a little help from her friends.

Bored National Trust volunteer, Maureen, steals an obscure still life as a giant up-yours to all those who’ve discounted her. The novice fine art thief is rumbled by some fellow room guides, but snitches get stitches, camaraderie wins out and instead of grassing her up, they decide to help.

Often written off as an insipid old fart, Maureen has a darker side, challenging ingrained ideas of how senior citizens should behave. Her new set of friends make her feel alive again. No longer quite so invisible, can this unlikely pensioner gang return the now infamous painting without being caught by the Feds?

I wrote this after hearing a radio interview in which an art detective revealed how a stolen Titian was dumped at a bus stop outside Richmond station. In a red, white and blue plastic bag! I just couldn’t shake such a compelling image. I volunteered at Ham House for many years, and my passion for this Jacobean gem, together with the volunteers’ indomitable spirit, gave birth to my unlikely anti-hero.

With over five million members, the National Trust is a huge British institution. Yet, next to nothing has been written about it in terms of contemporary fiction. Until now.

While No Oil Painting explores themes of insignificance and loneliness in older age, particularly for women, it is mainly intended to entertain and offer a small haven in dark, uncertain times.

My Review

I do enjoy a cosy crime, particularity if it involves an older protagonist. No Oil Painting by Genevieve Marenghi fits the bill perfectly. 

Maureen is in her seventies and is a trusted volunteer at Ham House, a National Trust property. The other volunteers, along with the paid staff, are a very mixed bunch of characters. I was shocked at the amount of pettiness and jealousy that existed amongst the genteel volunteers. You can probably spot people who have similar character traits to individuals you may have worked with.

A hypothetical conversation is the trigger for what follows. Maureen asks which item everyone would save should a fire break out. Shortly after this conversation, Maureen decides to see if she can actually steal her favorite work of art. Not only is Maureen extremely resourceful, but she also plans to make use of one important skill she possesses - the art of invisibility! Maureen knows that the elderly are frequently overlooked and ignored, and she plans to take full advantage of this. There's no maliciousness in Maureen's actions, it's more a case of trying to see what is possible. She certainly doesn't think through the consequences if she's caught.

There are some funny scenes, as Maureen's plan doesn't always go as she'd hoped, and added to this is the question about what to actually do with the picture once she has it. Alongside the humour, there is some vividly descriptive writing which really brings Ham House to life. The details of the ghost walk left me feeling terrified. There are also some poignant moments, reflecting the nature of growing old, with family and friends no longer around. 

I certainly don't feel as if we've seen the last of Maureen; she strikes me as one of those characters who can set her mind to anything and cause trouble while doing so.

No Oil Painting by Genevieve Marenghi is available in paperback and ebook format. My thanks to Burton Mayers Books and Rachel's Random Resources for a review copy.

Purchase Links

UK Kindle: https://www.amazon.co.uk/No-Oil-Painting-Genevieve-Marenghi-ebook/dp/B0FNLWTCBS/

UK Paperback: https://www.amazon.co.uk/No-Oil-Painting-Genevieve-Marenghi/dp/1917224125/

Giveaway to Win National Trust chocolate, and a Ham House towel and fridge magnet (Open to UK Only)

https://gleam.io/8q3jO/win-national-trust-chocolate-and-a-ham-house-towel-and-fridge-magnet-open-to-uk-only

*Terms and Conditions –UK entries welcome.  Please enter using the Gleam box below.  The winner will be selected at random via Gleam from all valid entries and will be notified by Twitter and/or email. If no response is received within 7 days then Rachel’s Random Resources reserves the right to select an alternative winner. Open to all entrants aged 18 or over.  Any personal data given as part of the competition entry is used for this purpose only and will not be shared with third parties, with the exception of the winners’ information. This will passed to the giveaway organiser and used only for fulfilment of the prize, after which time Rachel’s Random Resources will delete the data.  I am not responsible for despatch or delivery of the prize.

Author Details

With a BA in English and Philosophy, Genevieve worked for eleven years at the Weekend FT, where she helped create and launch How To Spend It magazine.

She volunteered for years as a National Trust guide at Ham House. This became the setting for her debut art heist novel, No Oil Painting, which was listed for the inaugural Women’s Prize Trust and Curtis Brown Discoveries, and was published by Burton Mayers Books on 10th October 2025.

Her writing uses dark humour to probe the difference between our perception of people and their true selves. The gulf between what is said and what is meant. She considers people watching an essential skill for any writer; overheard snippets of conversation or a bonkers exchange at a bus stop are like gold nuggets. She’s been known to follow people to catch the end of a juicy conversation or argument. Women aged over fifty are essentially invisible anyhow and she views this as a kind of superpower.

Unlike her protagonist Maureen, she hasn’t used this to commit art theft. Yet.

#CoverReveal 138 Main Street by Gavin Bell

 

I'm delighted to be taking part in the cover reveal for 138 Main Street, the latest thriller from Gavin Bell, which will be published in the UK by Simon & Schuster UK on 7th May 2026. As soon as I read the synopsis, I knew this was my kind of book.

AN ADDRESS TO DIE FOR…

There is a killer on the loose.

And he is targeting one specific address – 138 Main Street.

The problem? There are over 7,000 Main Streets in the USA.

And no clue which one will be next.

For FBI Special Agent Ben Walker and his rookie colleague, Officer Zoe Hill, the pressure to solve the case is unimaginable. There aren’t enough police officers to cover every house, and vigilante residents are attacking anyone who rings their doorbell. Main Street might be one of America’s most popular addresses, but for those living at number 138 it comes down to fight or flight.

Then a manuscript is sent to the New York Times, purporting to be the manifesto of the Main Street Killer and demanding radical social change.

As the effect of the terror campaign takes hold across the nation, Ben and Zoe find themselves in a race against time to stop the killer. But with their target always several steps ahead, and almost 3,800,000 square miles of ground to cover, they'll have to find him first…

You can pre-order a copy here - purchase link

The Croaking Raven by Guy Hale

 

In Stratford-Upon-Avon in 1972, Oliver Lawrence returns to seek revenge on the people he holds responsible for his father's suicide. Detectives Fred Williams and Toby Marlowe lead the investigation into the suspicious deaths.

The Croaking Raven by Guy Hale, the first book in the Shakespeare Murders series, is a cosy crime mystery with a literary twist. Set in Stratford-Upon-Avon and focusing on a company of actors, the murders mirror Hamlet. Oliver Lawrence, who disappeared fifteen years earlier and is presumed dead, has returned in disguise to seek revenge on the actors and critics who destroyed his father's career, resulting in his suicide. Many of these same people wrecked Oliver's fledgling career, too, so he's doubly bent on retribution.

DC Toby Marlowe has recently relocated from Birmingham and is keen to make his mark in Stratford. He's teamed with veteran officer DS Fred Williams. The first meeting between the pair isn't an auspicious one. Fred is described as "a bull of a man, who appeared to be in a state of simmering rage", a man who much prefers to work alone and doesn't suffer fools gladly. I did enjoy this pairing. Although Toby is relatively young and inexperienced, he is intelligent and intuitive, something Fred quickly realises. Likewise, Toby soon learns that there is much more to Fred than his bullish appearance.

Oliver is aided in his quest by an old friend of his father, Felix Richards. Felix initially comes across as a masterful manipulator, and you wonder if he has an ulterior motive. However, Felix quickly realises he has lost control as Oliver rapidly descends into madness.

There are lots of theatrical references and quotes; fans of Shakespeare will love the way in which the plot follows the tale of Hamlet. Many of the characters come across as caricatures, with critics being vicious and biased, and actors being over the top. DS Williams is completely irreverent towards the theatre luvvies, particularly "national treasure" Sir Morris Oxford, the person Oliver ultimately holds responsible.

As the body count grows, you wonder where things are going to end. Oliver is determined to hold everyone responsible for his father's death to account, which makes for a very long list of victims. Rather than rush, the author has chosen to continue the murder spree over a series of four books, and I can't wait to see how things transpire.

The Croaking Raven by Guy Hale is available in hardback, paperback and ebook format. My thanks to The Bullington Press and Love Books Tours for a review copy.

You can purchase copies of the book direct from the author here, or from Amazon UK here

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Author Details

Guy Hale was born in Worcestershire, England. His first job was as a Professional Golfer. He also played Rugby and raced motorcycles until his mid-twenties. When this failed to kill him he started writing plays, mostly two handers which he performed in pubs and assorted venues with his mate, Andy.

#BlogTour A Christmas Caroline by K. L. Crear

 

I'm delighted to be taking part in the blog Tour for A Christmas Caroline by K. L. Crear, 

Synopsis

Caroline’s got frugality down to a fine art. She can make a tin of soup stretch for days, considers “reduced to clear” her love language, and thinks Christmas is just a daft excuse for people to throw their money away on tinsel trimmed tat. 

But Christmas Eve night takes a turn when her best mate, Marlene, drops in for a chat. Lovely, right? Except Marlene’s been dead for seven years and she’s got a message for Caroline, she will be visited by three spirits and if she doesn’t pay attention, her future’s looking bleaker than the contents of her fridge freezer. 

Caroline’s convinced she’s having a hallucination. Ghosts? Surely not! But as the night goes on, she starts to wonder if she might just learn something worth more than her latest discount voucher. And for someone who knows the price of everything and the value of nothing, this might be the wake-up call she didn’t see coming. 

Move over Ebenezer! This modern, laugh-out-loud retelling of the Dickens classic has a new Scrooge in town. Perfect for fans of Sophie Kinsella. 

Caroline Scroggins has a lonely Christmas ahead of her. She's shunned invites from family and friends and intends to be her usual miserable self, although she does plan to indulge herself with a jacket potato for her Christmas dinner. Will a few ghostly visitors make her realise what she's missing out on?

My Review

A Christmas Caroline by K. L. Crear is a modern retelling of A Christmas Carol, with the main character being Caroline Scroggins, the "Queen of Mean". Caroline is a thoroughly unpleasant character who takes frugality to the extreme; she can make a can of soup last for three days! Poetic licence has been used to great effect to exaggerate Caroline's behaviour to reinforce our understanding of how much she fits the Scrooge character. 

This is a quick and easy read, and at times it will make you chuckle. Set in Yorkshire, Caroline calls a spade a spade, and at times the descriptions are very near the knuckle. Caroline's unpleasant nature and caustic comments do nothing to endear her to the reader. It is only when she is visited by ghostly apparitions that her doubt and apprehension begin to show. In true Christmas Carol style, an epiphany takes place, with Caroline realising the error of her ways as she embraces the true spirit of Christmas.

Purchase Link

https://www.amazon.co.uk/Christmas-Caroline-K-L-Crear-ebook/dp/B0DHS6QXMQ

Author Details

Karen (K.L. Crear) is an author, over-sharer, and walking cautionary tale. Think: a sweary teenager trapped in the body of a menopausal woman who can’t sneeze without risking a wardrobe malfunction. You’re welcome.

Once upon a time, she worked in banking, the Civil Service, and property management, or as she likes to call it, The Beige Trilogy. She spent decades being respectable (ish), responsible (occasionally), and quietly losing the will to live. Then one day she found herself broke, baffled, and built entirely out of biscuit crumbs and unresolved trauma. So she did what any sensible woman would do, she wrote it all down and flogged it in paperback.

Karen has battled cancer twice, and her coping strategy was to laugh at wildly inappropriate moments and shout “F*ck off!” at inspirational quotes. Spoiler: it worked. Her sense of humour is deeply questionable, but it’s kept her just about sane through grief, illness, love, lies, and the time she gave herself food poisoning with a dodgy prawn ring from Iceland.

After years of procrastination (and one too many vinos), she finally swapped Pinot for a pen. She now writes jaw-dropping memoirs and hilarious women’s fiction about women who’ve had enough, snapped slightly, and are thriving in spite of it all, usually with a glass in hand, some top mates, and a solid alibi.

Her hobbies include eating anything wrapped in pastry, shouting at the Real Housewives (“She’s definitely had something done - she’s melting!”), and threatening to adopt an axolotl because they look so absurdly cheerful. She once turned down hugging a sloth in Mexico, it dangles upside down, pees on itself, and honestly felt like a warning from the future.

Karen lives in a sleepy Northern town with her long-suffering husband (he’s partially deaf, which helps) and their cat Pickle, who looks permanently disgusted with their life choices and the ongoing Dreamies rationing.

A portion of every book sale goes to Women’s Aid, Great Ormond Street, the Epilepsy Society, and Macmillan. because she knows what it’s like to need help. The world’s a shitshow, but we can all make a little difference in our own way.

#BlogTour The Garden Of Shared Stories by Clare Swatman

 

I'm delighted to be taking part in the Blog Tour for Clare Swatman's latest novel.

Synopsis

Emma is at an all-time low the day she meets Nick. She sits down in a quiet rose garden in her local park, and from nowhere a handsome man sits next to her and turns her world upside down.

Over the weeks, she and Nick meet regularly, always in the same place, always at the same time. They discover they have a lot in common – shared heartbreak, and shared dreams. They tell each other stories about the people they’ve lost – things they’ve never told anyone else. Bit by bit, they get to know each other, and fall in love.

But there’s a catch, because however much they have in common, they have one big thing keeping them apart… twenty years apart. Because when Nick is sitting in the garden it’s 1999 – two decades before Emma is there.

Emma never expected to fall in love again, but now she has, she’s not going to give up on it without a fight. But how do you turn something impossible into a happy ever after?

My Review

I've only read one other book by Clare Swatman, A Chance Worth Taking (which was originally published as Five Things I Love About You, you can read my review here), and I was surprised by how much I enjoyed the tale of a middle-aged woman uprooting her life in the search for her dream lover. As a result, I leapt at the chance to read The Garden Of Shared Stories, particularly as it also has a slight mystical element.

Emma and Nick are engaging characters, and as the story progresses, you desperately want the universe to fix things so they can be together. Both are still coming to terms with the loss of a partner. Friends and family have offered support, but don't really understand what they are going through. Being able to share with someone who is dealing with the same feelings gives them a common bond; maybe this is why fate has thrown them together.

I found it easy to relate to Emma as she tried to deal with her churning emotions, particularly as she struggled to convince her best friend that Nick exists. Emma is also faced with a moral dilemma, since she lives twenty years in the future, would it be right to give Nick important information? Information that could change the future.

The whole issue of time slips/time travel is a fascinating one, but it also raises numerous questions. Clare Swatman does try to explain some of the problems with a light touch, so the story isn't bogged down by unnecessary jargon or becomes too much of a science fiction story. However, it is this element of the storyline that will probably raise the most discussion points.

As problems began to arise for the couple, I found that my reading started to slow down. I was so emotionally invested that I didn't want to see either character suffer heartbreak. If I didn't turn the page, then they'd remain in a state of limbo, and neither would be hurt. The conclusion is bittersweet, one that leaves the reader feeling satisfied after investing so many emotions.

The Garden Of Shared Stories by Clare Swatman is available in paperback, ebook and audio format. My thanks to NetGalley, Boldwood Books and Rachel's Random Resources for a review copy.

Purchase Link: https://mybook.to/GardenOfSharedStories

Author Details

Clare Swatman is the author of bestselling women’s fiction novels, which have been translated into over 20 languages. She has been a journalist for over twenty years, writing for Bella and Woman & Home amongst many other magazines. She lives in Hertfordshire.

The Drop by S. R. Masters (Audiobook)

 

Cady is a risk-taker, all in the name of monetising her YouTube channel. When she's given the chance to be one of the first people to ride the world's biggest rollercoaster before a new park opens, she jumps at the chance. She soon discovers that it's all been a ruse by a friend to enact revenge.

I was intrigued as to how a whole novel could revolve around being trapped on a rollercoaster, so I relished the chance to listen to the audiobook of The Drop by S. R. Masters. The author has considered all the possible plot holes, resulting in a cleverly thought-out storyline.

The lead character, Cady, has drifted into thrill-seeking after leaving university. She has a successful YouTube channel where she reports back on theme parks and rides. Danson, a close friend from university, is working at a new theme park in the Middle East, which will feature the world's biggest rollercoaster. When Danson offers Cady the chance to be one of the first people on the new ride, she is elated, thinking about all the videos she can post to her channel.

Upon arriving at the theme park, she finds three other friends from university have also been invited. Cady doesn't think this is strange, it's just an opportunity for everyone to reconnect. It's once they board the ride that they realise that there may be more to their invites.

The ride stalls at the top. In the unrelenting heat, they have no way of contacting anyone. The park itself is deserted, a combination of construction work having been completed and tight security. It soon becomes clear that they are trapped and it's all in the name of revenge, revenge for things they did in the past. The friends reflect on what they did at university and how they have treated people. Dark secrets are uncovered involving blackmail and attempted murder. Despite the friends all going on to have successful careers, we soon discover that they aren't particularly nice people.

There is a claustrophobic quality to the story, the feeling of being trapped on a ride, despite being hundreds of feet in the air. Even more terrifying is the idea of still being trapped when the sun is blazing down, and you have no means of protection from its relentless heat. The narration adds to this pressure by starting each chapter with the time and temperature. Sacrifices need to be made, and the truth acknowledged if any of them are to survive.

Author Details

S R Masters grew up around Birmingham in the UK. After studying philosophy, he worked in public health. He now lives in Oxfordshire with his wife and children. His short fiction and novels have been published internationally. Labelled as "a writer to watch" by Publishers Weekly, his books include THE KILLER YOU KNOW (Sphere), THE TRIAL (HarperCollins) and HOW TO KILL WITH KINDNESS (HarperCollins).

Queen Esther by John Irving

 

Esther Nacht was made an orphan when her mother was killed. When she ends up at St. Cloud's Orphanage, Wilbur Larch knows he's going to struggle to find a family to adopt a Jewish child. Luckily, the Winslow family is willing to offer the girl a home, little realising the impact she will have on their youngest daughter.

I've been a fan of John Irving for over forty years, and although I've not enjoyed his more recent novels as much as I do his earlier ones, I still rejoiced at the thought of a new novel. I was even more overjoyed to discover that Queen Esther is a sequel to The Cider House Rules. In preparation, I reread The Cider House Rules (you can find my review here).

Unfortunately, there is very little connecting the two novels, and this wouldn't be an ideal book for anyone new to Irving's work. Lots of the themes from the author's earlier works feature. Family relationships, sexuality, women's reproductive rights, war, wrestling, writing, and Vienna are just some of the many topics that feature. Anyone picking up the book because it's a sequel will be bitterly disappointed as St. Cloud's and Wilbur Larch only appear briefly, having little impact on the story.

Father/son relationships feature heavily in earlier novels. Family dynamics are the central core of this novel, but this time around it's the mother/son relationship that is important. We see how giving birth to a child doesn't necessarily make you maternal, and that many mothers are willing to go to any lengths to protect their child.

The narrative has all the hallmarks of Irving's earlier writing; minute details of characters which really bring them to life and prose which seems to go off at a tangent, only to circle back to the original point. The array of characters is vast and unique. However, there is far too much repetitiveness, and this impedes the flow of the story. As I read, part of me kept thinking that important details were building up for a dramatic conclusion. Regrettably, this wasn't the case, and the story just fizzled out.

If you haven't read anything by John Irving, I wouldn't recommend starting with this novel. I'd suggest starting with A Prayer For Owen Meany (my personal favourite), The World According To Garp or The Cider House Rules. While they are decades old, they are still relevant today and pack a punch.

Author Details

John Irving published his first novel, Setting Free the Bears, in 1968. He has been nominated for a National Book Award three times-winning once, in 1980, for the novel The World According to Garp. He also received an O. Henry Award, in 1981, for the short story "Interior Space." In 1992, Mr. Irving was inducted into the National Wrestling Hall of Fame in Stillwater, Oklahoma. In 2000, he won the Oscar for Best Adapted Screenplay for The Cider House Rules-a film with seven Academy Award nominations. In 2001, he was elected to the American Academy of Arts and Letters.

November 2025 Reads

 

It's hard to believe that we're almost at the end of the year. At the start of the year I set my Goodreads reading challenge to 80 books for 2025 and I've already smashed that. I think I'm going to have to increase my target for 2026, the only problem is I don't want to put too much pressure on myself. Is there anyone else like that? On to November's books.

The month started with The Garden Of Shared Stories by Clare Swatman. I loved this because of the questions it raised. Emma and Nick meet in the local park. There’s an immediate spark between them. They soon realise there’s a problem; they are living twenty years apart and can only see each other when they’re alone on the bandstand. I was so invested in the budding romance, desperate for them to find a way to be together.

I leapt at the chance to read The Night Watcher by Tariq Ashkanani via the Amazon Prime Reads program. This is the first in a series featuring feisty private investigator Callie Munro. The storyline is pacey, as Callie uncovers a serial killer haunting the streets of Edinburgh. I loved the main character, an independent woman with little respect for authority. Support from a member of the police force, alongside help from the leader of an organised crime gang, could make for conflict in the future.

A Christmas Caroline by K. L. Crear is a modern version of A Christmas Carol. Caroline Scroggins is the “Queen of Mean” and is so frugal that she can make a tin of soup last three days. Visits from apparitions make Caroline reflect on her past and consider her future. Set in Yorkshire, there is plenty of humour and some extremely caustic remarks.

There has been such a buzz about Room 706 by Ellie Levenson that I was over the moon when it finally made its way to the top of my TBR pile. Kate is trapped in a hotel room with her lover when terrorists take over the hotel. The enforced isolation gives Kate time to reflect on her relationships. I loved the way the three separate stories, the situation in the hotel, meeting her husband, and her affair, were intertwined.

The Croaking Raven by Guy Hale is the first book in the Shakespeare Murders quartet. Set in 1972, it follows DC Toby Marlowe, new to Stratford-Upon-Avon, and his partner, DS Fred Williams, as they investigate a series of murders which seem to be based on the plot of Hamlet. This is a very literary cosy mystery that will leave you wanting to know more.

The Miseducation Of Evie Epworth by Matson Taylor was my November book group read. A coming-of-age story set in Yorkshire in 1962, Evie has just finished her O Levels and is undecided about what she wants to do with her future. Her father is no help as he’s in the grips of a new romance. The sudden appearance of her neighbour’s cosmopolitan daughter opens Evie’s eyes to a life beyond the borders of Yorkshire.

After reading The Croaking Raven by Guy Hale, I was determined to read the next book in the series, All Our Yesterdays. This gives readers a glimpse into the background of the first book. We see the formation of the Morris Oxford Players and the jealousy that drives Oxford to destroy the lives of those he sees as competition.

I was delighted to get a review copy of Deception by Jack Jordan. A couple, whose young son is dying, are offered a chance to earn enough money to cover the cost of his surgeries. A series of illegal tasks lies ahead. The big question is what are they prepared to do to save their son’s life? Filled with moral dilemmas, we follow the couple through doubt, indecision and terror as they fight to save their son.

A new John Irving novel is an exciting thing. When I discovered Queen Esther was a sequel to The Cider House Rules, I reread the book to refresh my memory. Unfortunately, St. Cloud’s Orphanage and Doctor Larch only make a brief appearance in the novel. The eponymous Queen Esther doesn’t feature much either in this story of a mother’s desire to keep her son safe. I found the narrative extremely repetitive and a storyline that meandered.

No Oil Painting by Genevieve Marenghi is about a septuagenarian art thief. What begins as a hypothetical question turns into the real thing when Maureen decides to steal a painting from the National Trust property she volunteers at. As an elderly woman, Maureen is used to being invisible, so she decides to take full advantage of the invisibility that seems to surround her. I enjoyed Maureen’s inner monologue, and there are some extremely descriptive scenes.

My first audiobook of the month was One Of The Family by Jess Ryder. Rachel suggests her daughter, Liv, and boyfriend, Jensen, move into the family home once they finish university. Rachel is particularly sympathetic towards Jensen as he lost his parents under tragic circumstances. Once the couple moves in, things begin to go wrong, escalating to Liv going missing. Jensen is adamant she’s gone to stay with friends, but no one is able to contact her. Is Jensen telling the truth, or is he covering his tracks?

You Sent Me A Letter by Lucy Dawson is a fast-paced and twisty thriller that works brilliantly as an audiobook. Sophie wakes in the night to find a stranger in her bedroom. He explains that if she doesn’t read out the contents of the letter he leaves to all the guests at her party that evening, he will return. Sophie frantically tries to stop her dark secret from being uncovered. I was shocked as each big reveal was uncovered.

My final audiobook was The Drop by S. R. Masters. Kaydee makes a living reporting on theme parks. When she is offered the chance to be one of the first people to ride the world’s biggest rollercoaster in the Middle East she jumps at the chance. However, the ride grinds to a halt at its peak, and there’s no one to rescue them. Stuck in the unrelenting heat, Kaydee and her friends reflect on how they have ended up in the situation they are in.

Publications dates to watch out for:-

The Garden Of Shared Stories by Clare Swatman will be published 3/12/25 in paperback, ebook and audio format.

The Drop by S. R. Masters will be published 4/12/25 in paperback, ebook and audio format.

Room 706 by Ellie Levenson will be published 15/1/26 in hardback, ebook and audio format.

Deception by Jack Jordan will be published 4/6/26 in hardback, ebook and audio format.