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.