July 2026 Reads

 

The month began with The Blackbird Conspiracy by Tariq Ashkanani. This is the second book in the Callie Munro series. Discovering her friend and colleague dead, Callie learns that someone in the government will go to any lengths to stop their plans from becoming public. The sparse writing keeps the pace flowing and adds to the sense of urgency. I was really pleased to learn the book three has already been written.

Dissection Of A Murder by Jo Murray has been all over my social media for months, having now read it, I can understand why everyone is talking about it. Leila Reynolds is given her first murder case to defend. There are a couple of problems, though. Firstly, the defendant refuses to explain what happened on the night he is accused of murdering a crown court judge. Secondly, the prosecution barrister is her husband. From the very first page, you are drawn in by the intrigue, you are kept turning the pages, desperate to know what happened.

Washington Poe returns in The Killer’s Mark by M. W. Craven. In the eighth book in the series, Poe and Tilly are now ‘Gumshoes For Hire’, when a teenage girl asks for their help. For the past year, she had assumed her mother was dead until she caught a glimpse of her in a pornographic film. The hunt for answers sees the duo come up against the Triads. Having left the police force, Poe doesn’t have his usual backup, however he still has friends he can call on when desperate. Tilly’s continuing work for the security service also proves to be handy.

Death Writ Large by Susie Dent is the second book in the Clarendon Lexicographers series. Martha is called on to use her expertise in constructed language when an Oxford scholar is found dead. Strange runes near the body are attributed to the writing of a contemporary of Tolkien. When more runes begin to appear, it becomes obvious that someone is seeking revenge. This mystery is perfect for fans of cryptic crosswords, but don’t worry if you struggle with them (like me), as all the clues are explained well.

A complete change of genre next with The Stray Dogs by Ruth Hogan. Vet Leona Lennox is feeling jaded, so she decides to sell her share in her practise and move to the countryside to open a rescue centre for dogs. In her new home, she meets Desmond Leaks, who is also looking for a fresh start after his marriage failed. Years ago, Desmond was part of a band, and he decides to get the group to reform to raise funds for the rescue centre. This is a charming tale of second chances that will tug at your heartstrings.

Frank And Red by Matt Coyne is one of my favourite books of recent years. Everyone I’ve recommended it to (and there have been quite a few) has loved it. So, the pressure was on the author to see what his next novel would be like. I’m happy to report that The Trouble With Sister Francis is filled with nostalgia, humour, joy, and friendship as we meet a group of eleven-year-old boys who are ‘persuaded’ by an elderly nun to join the boys’ club run by the church. I was snorting with laughter throughout, but in floods of tears towards the end.

My book group read for the month was A Time Of Mourning by Christobel Kent. Having left the police force under a cloud, Sandro Cellini has set up as a private investigator. His first case is to investigate the apparent suicide of a man whose widow is convinced his actions are completely out of character. Following quickly on the heels of this case is the disappearance of a young woman. Are the two cases linked? Set in Florence during a bout of torrential rain that threatens to flood the city, this is a slow and bleak mystery.

In Love Unlocked by Cecelia Ahern, podcaster Melody is intrigued when she hears of numerous relationships ending on the same day. Further investigation reveals that each couple had a love lock attached to a Dublin bridge, and the relationships ended the day those locks were cut off the bridge. Melody decides to confront the man responsible for their removal, Al. What happens when an anti-love individual meets a heartbroken romantic? I loved the characters of Meloday and Al, as well as the mystery surrounding the love locks.

Only one audiobook this month, The Campervan Detectives by Maeve Haran. Discovering her husband in bed with her best friend, Sadie Sutton walks out on her marriage, buys a campervan, and flees to the seaside. When she discovers a dead body, a group of women who have also embraced ‘van-life’ come to her aid. This is an easy-going cosy crime, with an unlikeable victim and plenty of suspects.

Fuller reviews for each book are available on my blog.

Publication dates to watch for:-

The Killer’s Mark by M. W. Craven will be published on 13/8/26 in hardback, ebook, and audio format.

Death Writ Large by Susie Dent will be published on 13/8/26 in hardback, ebook, and audio format.

The Blackbird Conspiracy by Tariq Ashkanani will be published on 14/8/26 in paperback, ebook, and audio format.

The Stray Dogs by Ruth Hogan will be published on 27/8/26  in paperback, ebook, and audio format.

The Trouble With Sister Francis by Matt Coyne will be published on 27/8/26 in hardback, ebook, and audio format.

Love Unlocked by Cecelia Ahern will be published on 27/8/26 in hardback, ebook, and audio format.