February 2026 Reads

 

What a dismal month February was! The running joke that January seems to be never-ending seems to have continued as February seems to have merged with January. On the positive side, all this poor weather has meant no excuse has been needed to stay indoors and read.

My month began with The Underground Railroad by Colson Whitehead for my book group. I was apprehensive about reading this, but once I got going, I really enjoyed this tale of a young woman and her escape from slavery. Brutal and horrific at times, but lots of parallels with what is happening in the world today.

The Weekend is the latest thriller from T. M. Logan. The author always guarantees plenty of suspense, and his latest offering is no different. A group of friends finds a large amount of money. Deciding to keep the money, they find themselves in serious trouble when the people the money belongs to decide they want it back. Moral dilemmas, secrets and twists keep the pace moving.

The Truth About Ruby Cooper from Liz Nugent is sure to cause lots of discussion. The lead character, Ruby, is so divisive. Following an incident with her older sister’s boyfriend, she leaves America and settles in Ireland. Over the next twenty-five years, her past choices and her current actions are not only self-destructive but also cause damage to those around her. Just when you think she’s turned a corner and you begin to have some sympathy for her, Ruby reverts to type and shows her true nature.

How To Get Away With Murder is the debut novel from Rebecca Philipson and is superb. There are two interlinked stories: the murder of a teenage girl and a “How To” book by a self-confessed serial killer. As DI Sam Hansen tries to track down Denver Brady, the book’s author, the rest of the country is convinced he was responsible for the girl’s murder. Sam has her doubts, but she seems to be the only person who does. There’s plenty of humour, twists, and that unsettling feeling that you’re being manipulated as you read.

I always love catching up with the Max Craigie series by Neil Lancaster, and The Dark Heart, book 7 in the series, is just as good as the previous ones. Max has to go undercover to gather information from an organised crime gang with far-right views who are intent on destabilising the country. There were times when I really did fear for Max.

The Memory Bookshop by Song Yu-jeong was a complete change of pace for me. A story of coping with grief and the all-encompassing power of love, set in a magical bookshop that allows you to travel back to earlier times in your life.

Light relief this month was provided by The Lottery Winner Widows Club by Elly Vine. I actually combined reading this along with listening to the audiobook. Paula wins big on the lottery at the same time her husband dies in an accident abroad. Struggling to come to terms with the momentous changes in her life, she’s befriended by two other lottery winners who also happen to have been widowed shortly after their big wins. This was great fun, although it does have a serious element, filled with brilliant characters.

The month was rounded off with my book group read, The Late Greats by Nick Quantrill. Private investigator Joe Geraghty is employed to look after members of a Hull band that is reforming years after an acrimonious split. When the frontman disappears, Joe goes looking and finds lots of unpleasantness.

My first audiobook of the month was A Neighbour’s Guide To Murder by Louise Candlish. This was a deliciously wicked story. Elderly Gwen lives in an affluent mansion block and takes an interest in her neighbour’s new flatmate, Pixie. When she learns about the “arrangement” between Pixie and her landlord, she’s shocked. I loved the way the story developed. I was never quite sure about what was true and what was manipulation.

Murder In A Cornish Teashop by Fliss Chester was my second audiobook of the month. This is a cosy crime novel set in a small community in Cornwall. Maddie Penrose is helping her grandmother run the teashop attached to her farm when she becomes involved in the death of a tourist. The more Maddie investigates, the longer the list of crimes and suspects becomes. Engaging characters and a twisty plot keep you listening.

Publication dates to look for:-

Murder In a Cornish Teashop by Fliss Chester will be published on 11/3/26 in ebook and audio format.

The Truth About Ruby Cooper by Liz Nugent will be published on 12/3/26 in hardback, ebook and audio format.

How To Get Away With Murder by Rebecca Philipson will be published on 12/3/26 in hardback, ebook and audio format.

The Dark Heart by Neil Lancaster will be published 12/3/26 in hardback, ebook and audio format.

The Memory Bookshop by Song Yu-jeong will be published 12/3/26 in hardback, ebook and audio format.

The Lottery Winner Widows Club by Elly Vine will be published 26/3/26 in hardback, ebook and audio format.