The Cut by Richard Armirage

 

Thirty years after a teenager was murdered, her killer is about to be released from prison. By coincidence, a production company is shooting a film which bears a striking resemblance to the events surrounding the murder. Is someone out for revenge or trying to reframe the past?

The Cut by Richard Armitage opens in 1994 with a nightmarish scene of a young woman being chased through a storm. From a high vantage point, someone is watching the events as they unfold. The story then jumps to 2023, and we meet architect Ben Knott, a school friend of the victim at the time of her death.

The story alternates between 1994 and 2023. In the past, we meet Ben and his circle of friends. The group is a strange mixture of mainly unpleasant characters held together by Ben. Ben's intelligence, physique and home background have allowed him to get away with some unsavory behaviour, much of it excused by his home life. In 2023, we meet a very different character, a successful family man who is haunted by the past. I did feel some sympathy towards teenager Ben; his home life was harrowing. Modern day Ben didn't come across well; he compartmentalise his life, puts business before family and was desperately trying to hide secrets.

As the storyline alternates between the two time periods, we see everything leading up to the night of the murder. We discover that the bonds of friendship are tenuous, mainly because of the cruel nature of teenagers. In the present, Ben's fourteen-year-old son, Nate, is deliberately targeted to star in a "found footage" film. The nature in which Nate is encouraged to audition is creepy, not only does it add another layer of secrecy to the story, but it also reinforces the message that you never know who is at the other end of an online conversation. The two sets of events slowly begin to merge, and Ben realises that someone knows more about the murder than the police uncovered. The big question is what is their ultimate goal?

The terrifying opening and the tense conclusion keep your heart racing. I did find the middle section a little slow and confusing; however, I was determined to read on to find answers. The reader is kept in suspense for the majority of the novel as to the identities of the victim and her murderer, the Mill Killer. Shocks are in store when all is revealed, including the identity of the person manipulating the modern-day events, and the reader eventually learns about what really happened on that stormy night in 1994.

The Cut by Richard Armitage will be published on 28th August 2025 in hardback, ebook and audio format. My thanks to NetGalley and Faber & Faber for a review copy.

Author Details

Richard Armitage is a multi-award winning stage and screen actor. In 2022 he penned his debut crime thriller 'Geneva'. 

The Killer Question by Janice Hallett

 

Sue and Mal, the new landlords of The Case Is Altered country pub are concerned that a team that joins their regular quiz night is cheating. It's a delicate situation to handle as they don't want to upset their regular clientele but feel that a new infusion of blood is just what the quiz night needs. When a dead body is discovered near the pub everyone becomes a suspect.

As with every other fan of Janice Hallett I have been eagerly awaiting The Killer Question. I was very lucky to receive an early copy, devoured it in one sitting and then have to keep my lips sealed. There are no spoilers in my review, part of the appeal of Janice Hallett's books is reading them and trying to spot hints, clues and red herrings. The style is similar to that of the author's previous books with the story being told through a variety of media such as emails, text messages and WhatsApp messages. As an aside, if you haven't read any of the author's earlier books then I heartily recommend them. You can find reviews for all apart from her first book, The Appeal, on my blog (I didn't have a blog when I read The Appeal).

I loved the opening of the book. The events in the book took place in 2019, five years later Sue and Mal's nephew pitches the story to Netflix as an idea for a true crime series. While I don't watch true crime I am well aware of its popularity, along with the interest it sparks online as viewers discuss what they've watched. This genre also seems to have ignited a rise in amateur detectives.

To entice a production company, the nephew sends them evidence in the form of emails and messages that have never been seen by the public before. I adore this style of narrative, it's easy to read, you quickly become engrossed and it feels very voyeuristic. The story had me completely absorbed, to the extent that I felt as if I was one of the regular quizzers. The introduction of a quiz team who are obviously cheating is a stroke of genius as it brings out the true characters of some of the regulars. I honestly didn't realise that pub quizzes were so cut-throat. The way in which the usual winners react when they lose is hilarious, they become sticklers for the rules unless it's something that benefits them. The message threads and emails around this are pure gold, I was laughing out loud. Far too frequently something is mentioned that is so true to life or resembles someone you may know. Not all of the teams take things quite as seriously as others; for some, it's a laugh, for others, it's a social event. For the serious quizzers, there's nothing fun about the quiz, so when they feel an injustice has been done they try to get everyone on their side. 

There is more to the story than a Monday night quiz, prepare yourself for murder and blackmail as, just like any true life crime series, the story takes unexpected twists and turns. Having read the author's previous books I tried to spot clues and red herrings but failed miserably, which made the reading and the big reveal even more pleasurable. This is one of those books where as soon as you know "whodunnit" you want to go straight back to the beginning to look for the subtle hints. I can't wait to see what Janice Hallett comes up with next but it going to have to be something special to beat The Killer Question.

The Killer Question by Janice Hallett will be published on 4th September 2025 in hardback and ebook format. My thanks to NetGalley and Viper for a review copy.

Author Details

Janice Hallett is the author of five best-selling novels. Her debut, The Appeal, was awarded the CWA Debut Dagger of 2021 and was a Sunday Times’ Bestseller, Waterstones’ Thriller of the Month and Sunday Times’ Crime Book of the Month. Her second novel The Twyford Code was named Crime & Thriller Book of the Year in the British Book Awards 2023. It was also a Sunday Times’ Bestseller and a Financial Times book of the year. The Mysterious Case of the Alperton Angels was an instant Times and Sunday Times bestseller on its launch in January 2023 and a Richard & Judy Book Club pick.

The Christmas Appeal, a fast, fun and festive novella, was launched in October 2023. It was a Times and Sunday Times bestseller.

Her latest novel The Examiner, was an instant Times and Sunday Times bestseller on its launch and is out now.

Her first novel for children aged 8-12 is A Box Full of Murders, out in June 2025.

Janice is a former magazine editor, award-winning journalist, and government communications writer. As a playwright and screenwriter, she penned the feminist Shakespearean stage comedy NetherBard and co-wrote the feature film Retreat.

July 2025 Reads

 

July has flown by. It was good to get back to my normal routines this month. My review pile isn’t so daunting at the moment, so this gave me the chance to read a little bit more widely, hence this is probably my most varied selection of books in a long time. The month ended up being a mixture of my usual thrillers, some blog tour reads, a children’s book and my book group read.

The month began with a blog tour read, One Snowy Day by Shari Low. Winter-themed, rather than Christmas, the story focuses on the small community of Weirbridge in Scotland. We meet long-time resident Jessie, who is about to jet off, with her husband, for a life of retirement in sunnier climes. Jessie, along with some of the other residents, is faced with a dilemma that needs to be resolved before she can put her plans into action. A lovely, gentle read.

I’m still determined to get up to date with the Slough House/Slow Horses series of books before the new one is published. July saw me reading Slough House, book 7 in the series, by Mick Herron. Someone has deleted the residents of Slough House from the MI5 database. This coincides with  members of the team being followed and the return of an old face. Little do the team realise that lives are in danger. The ending is shocking; it made me immediately want to pick up the next book in the series.

I love the novels of Helen Fields, particularly the Luc Callanch & Ava Turner series. Watching You, a serial killer thriller, is set in Edinburgh and features some of the characters from the series. Three random murders could be linked, with the common connection being a local surgeon. I was gripped as the body count began to rise and we learnt about the chilling results of being stalked.

Janice Hallett’s books are always a sure-fire hit for me; however, I did wonder if her latest, a children’s novel, would have the same appeal. A Box Full Of Murders, aimed at the 8 to 12 age range, has all the classic features we love from the author. Told through text messages and documents discovered in a dusty loft, a pair of siblings try to solve a forty-year-old murder that happened at a scout and guide camp. I loved the nostalgia aspect, and it felt like a homage to the Famous Five series of books.

Another author whose books are always eagerly anticipated is Steve Cavanagh. The Eddie Flynn series features a con man turned lawyer who isn’t afraid to bend the rules to defend his clients. In Two Kinds Of Stranger, a social media influencer, who is accused of murdering her husband and his mistress, claims she has been framed by a stranger she tried to help. All of Eddie’s skills are put to the test, especially when his ex-wife is also accused of a crime.

My second blog tour read in July was Love Or Your Money Back from Suzy K Quinn. Publisher Kat and marketing guru Freddy immediately clash when he buys half of her company and wants to make changes. On discovering Kat is desperate to marry before the year is out, he proposes marketing her. If his plan works, Kat agrees to let him make the changes he wants. As Freddy says, marketing is all about packaging, placement and promotion; finding love isn’t any different.

The Shipyard Girls by Nancy Revell was my book group read for July. This family saga, set in Sunderland in 1940, really wasn’t my cup of tea. The story follows a group of women who begin work in a shipyard as welders to help the war effort.

My final read of the month was The Cut by Richard Armitage. A twisty thriller revolving around the murder of a teenage girl in 1994. Thirty years later, “The Mill Killer” is due for release from prison, and someone is stirring up memories. Are they out for revenge or looking to reframe the past?

I am really pleased to get back into the habit of listening to audiobooks. I managed thee in July, starting with Party Of Liars by Kelsey Cox. The book opens with someone falling to their death from the balcony of a mansion during a sixteenth birthday party. The author then takes us back to the start of the day, building the tension and introducing us to a wide cast of characters. Throughout, you are kept wondering who has died and why. There is a supernatural element to the story for added thrills.

A Case Of Mice And Murder by Sally Smith is set in the exclusive domain of the Inner Temple, one of the Inns of Court in London, in 1901. The Lord Chief Justice is found murdered, and barrister Gabriel Ward is asked to investigate since the police do not have jurisdiction at the Inner Temple. This was a wonderful book to listen to, I was completely gripped and loved the quirky main character. A brilliant addition to the cosy crime genre.

My last audiobook of the month was the disturbing The Last Days Of Kira Mullan by Nicci French. A young woman is found dead, her new neighbour Nancy is the only person convinced she didn’t take her own life. The problem is that Nancy is recovering from a mental health crisis and everyone, including her partner, is convinced she is having another. Nancy’s struggles to be believed are shocking and distressing.

Publication dates to watch out for are:-

One Snowy Day by Shari Low will be published on 3/8/25 in paperback, ebook and audio format.

Watching You by Helen Fields will be published on 28/8/25 in paperback, ebook and audio format.

The Cut by Richard Armitage will be published on 28/8/25 in hardback, ebook and audio format.

The Last Days Of Kira Mullan by Nicci French (Audiobook)

 

Nancy North and her partner Felix, are hoping that the move to a new area of London will be just the fresh start that they need. When a neighbour is found dead shortly after they move, Nancy is the only person who finds the death suspicious.

The Last Days Of Kira Mullan by Nicci French is the second book in the Maud O'Connor series. While Maud does feature, this book is really all about Nancy, so can easily be read as a standalone mystery. 

We learn early on that a mental health crisis is the reason for Nancy and Felix to relocate. Felix is very protective of Nancy and hopes that the flat, part of a large old house, will offer her extra support and protection during her recovery. When Kira Mullan dies shortly after the couple move in, everyone, including the police, is convinced that the young woman took her own life. Only Nancy, who had a brief interaction with Kira, is convinced that something more sinister has happened.

Trying to convince others that there is more to Kira's death becomes a nightmare journey for Nancy. Having recently suffered a breakdown, everyone is convinced she's having a relapse. It is scary how easily her beliefs are brushed aside, and she is labelled as neurotic. There is so much gaslighting taking place, particularly from her partner, that there are times when Nancy even doubts herself. But, how do you convince people you're not "mad"?

Nancy's fight to prove she's right is terrifying; no one believes her. We quickly realise that Felix is extremely controlling and question why. There are lots of characters who aren't entirely honest, any one of them could be responsible for Kira's death, which all adds to Nancy's difficulty in getting anyone to listen to her.

When Nancy is finally able to persuade Maud O'Connor, the story becomes more of a police procedural, but Nancy is still struggling to escape Felix's coercive control. It is chilling that no matter where she goes or what she does, Felix is hovering, refusing to accept that she wants to be alone.

Author Details

Nicci French is the pseudonym for the writing partnership of journalists Nicci Gerrard and Sean French. The couple are married and live in London and Suffolk.

Watching You by Helen Fields

 

Edinburgh's murder investigation team is at a loss looking for clues to three unsolved murders committed over a short period of time. Enlisting the help of forensic profiler Connie Woolwine, they soon realise they have a serial killer to contend with.

I still find it difficult to believe that I only discovered Helen Fields' novels in 2021 when I read One For Sorrow, the seventh book in the Luc Callanach series. Since then, I've consumed all but two of the author's novels. I've loved everything I've read and one of the things I've particularly enjoyed is the way in which some of the characters pop up in other series.  Watching You is a prime example of this. The setting is Edinburgh, home of the murder investigation team that Luc Callanach and Ava Turner are part of. Both detectives are absent, so it is down to DS Lively and DS Salter to lead the investigation, with Detective Superintendent Overbeck keeping a close eye on proceedings. To help the investigation, Dr Connie Woolwine (The Shadow Man/The Institution) and her partner Brodie Baarda are brought in to consult, and the pair enlist the help of Midnight Jones (Profile K/The Profiler). Anyone picking up this book as their first taste of the author's work shouldn't be concerned as the story works well as a standalone one and will probably entice you to go back and read the rest of the back catalogue.

The story goes at a blistering pace as we go from the first victim being dragged to their death, through to the conclusion of events. The author puts you into the mind of some of the victims as they live their final few moments, graphic and grisly descriptions are avoided, but it is still enough to give you an unsettling feeling.

I have never been a fan of Sam Lively, but in Watching You, we see a completely different side to the brusque and uncouth DS who is regularly a pain in Luc Callanach's side. As the investigation intensifies, we get a greater understanding of why he behaves as he does and even see a softer, more caring side.

As the bodies begin to pile up, it takes consultant Connie Woolwine to link the deaths and spot the connection, local surgeon Beth Waterfall, whom DS Lively is attracted to. We are given brief glimpses into Beth's background, and this is the most chilling aspect of the whole novel. We discover that Beth's daughter Molly was a successful artist until she attracted a stalker who made her life a living hell. The lengths that the stalker went to are truly terrifying and incredibly plausible. No matter how hard she tried, Molly could not escape the grip of the stalker, and her life spiraled out of control with devastating consequences.

Everything leads to an intense conclusion, with more than one life in jeopardy, as the killer homes in on his target. Not content with a cold and sadistic serial killer, Helen Fields throws in a couple of almighty twists at the end, which I certainly didn't see coming and raises the brilliance of the book. I also loved the final scene in the police station, which warmed my heart, putting to rest a fear that had existed for four years.

Watching You by Helen Fields will be published on 28th August 2025 in paperback, ebook and audio format. My thanks to NetGalley and Avon Books UK for a review copy.

Author Details

Helen Fields’ first love was drama and music. From a very young age she spent all her free time acting and singing until law captured her attention as a career path. She studied law at the University of East Anglia, then went on to the Inns of Court School of Law in London.

After completing her pupillage, she joined chambers in Middle Temple where she practised criminal and family law for thirteen years. Undertaking cases that ranged from Children Act proceedings and domestic violence injunctions, to large scale drug importation and murder, Helen spent years working with the police, CPS, Social Services, expert witnesses and in Courts Martials.

After her second child was born, Helen left the Bar. Together with her husband David, she went on to run Wailing Banshee Ltd, a film production company, acting as script writer and producer.

Helen self-published two fantasy books as a way of testing herself and her writing abilities. She enjoyed the creative process so much that she began writing in a much more disciplined way, and decided to move into the traditional publishing arena through an agent.

Beyond writing, she has a passion for theatre and cinema, often boring friends and family with lengthy reviews and critiques. Taking her cue from her children, she has recently taken up karate and indoor sky diving. Helen and her husband now live in Hampshire with their three children and two dogs.

Two Kinds Of Stranger by Steve Cavanagh

 

Social media influencer Elly Parker thought things couldn't get any worse when she found her husband and best friend in bed together, then she was arrested for their murder. All her hopes are pinned on Eddie Flynn, but Eddie has problems of his own to deal with.

Social media influencers are now a fact of life, and most don't come across well. Elly Parker is a little different. Yes, she documents every second of her life with James, her husband of six months, but she also tries to use her reach for good by carrying out a random act of kindness each day and encouraging others to do the same. In Two Kinds Of Stranger, author Steve Cavanagh highlights how an act of kindness can backfire with devastating consequences.

The opening of the book gives us a glimpse of Elly's day-to-day life and her bubbly personality as she streams to her millions of followers, unfortunately, she doesn't realise that she's about to live stream finding her husband and friend in bed together. Two weeks later, Elly is trying to rebuild her life and doesn't hesitate to help a stranger on crutches who is struggling with luggage. The encounter results in Elly waking up in the hospital four days later and being accused of the murder of her husband and friend.

Fans of the series will be aware of Eddie Flynn's talent for defending clients who seem to have no hope and the fact that he is willing to skirt around the edges of the legal system to get the right result. We are given a glimpse of this early on in the book. All of Eddie's trademark skills are really put to the test in his defense of Elly. Eddie is supported by his usual team of Kate, Harry, Bloch and Lake. Everyone's expertise is needed as they try to track down the stranger Elly helped.

The story moves at a blistering pace as the narrative jumps between various characters, including Logan, the stranger Elly helped. We learn that Logan is a sociopath who delights in killing people undetected. As Logan's character and actions are revealed, I kept getting a hint of American Psycho's Patrick Bateman.

To make things even more difficult, Christine, Eddie's ex-wife, and her family find themselves in the middle of an inheritance case, which initially puts their lives in danger. Events take a shocking turn, and the two cases end up merging. Eddie is faced with a dilemma; he can't defend both cases and knows he's too close to represent Christine effectively. Eddie has to put his trust in Kate and Harry.

Everyone's experience and abilities are truly put to the test as they seem to be fighting against a ghost. Some of the scenes are adrenaline-fueled, my heart was racing as lives were put in danger. Twist upon twist leads to a thrilling conclusion, and then Steve Cavanagh gives us a deliciously wicked ending.

Two Kinds Of Stranger by Steve Cavanagh will be published on 31st July 2025 in hardback, ebook and audio format. My thanks to NetGalley and Headline for a review copy.

Author Details

Steve Cavanagh was born in Belfast, Northern Ireland, and for twenty years he practiced civil rights law. All of his novels have been nominated for major awards and many are international bestsellers. His third novel, The Liar, won the CWA Gold Dagger for Crime Novel of the Year 2018. Thirteen won the Theakston Old Peculier Crime Novel of the Year 2019. Fifty-Fifty was a Richard and Judy Book club choice, and was also selected for the BBC Between The Covers book club. Twisted, Fifty-Fifty and The Devil’s Advocate were all Sunday Times Top 10 bestsellers.

A Box Full Of Murders by Janice Hallett

 

Siblings Ava and Luke discover a box marked "Top Secret" hidden in the loft. Inside the box are papers relating to murders that happened forty years ago during a local scout and guide camp. The papers claim that the murderer has never been caught, so Ava and Luke are determined to get to the bottom of the mystery.

I'm a huge fan of Janice Hallett, the style of her books really appeals to me, and once you begin one, they are impossible to put down until you are finished. Hearing that the author had written a book for children, I knew I wouldn't rest until I'd read it. For other fans of the author wondering if they should give the book a go, I can heartily recommend it; all the things you expect from Janice Hallett are included. A Box Full Of Murders is aimed at the 8 to 12 age range, but don't let that put you off, there's something for everyone in the book.

The set-up is a little unusual. Ava, 11, and Luke, 10, are siblings who are living apart following their parents' recent separation. To stay in touch, the pair are sending messages back and forth. The discovery of the mysterious box in the loft ignites their interest. Determined to get to the bottom of the unsolved crime, they decide not to share what they've discovered with either parent.

Ava and Luke are very modern children; the vast majority of their interactions revolve around their phones. This is in contrast to the setting for the scout and guide camp which takes place in 1983, when mobile phones didn't exist. The contrast between the two groups of children is quite pronounced. Today's children are holed up in their bedrooms staring at screens and living on takeaway food, whereas those of forty years ago are camping out, climbing trees, wandering unaccompanied and eating whatever food is put in front of them. All of the children have just the right level of precociousness, innocence and lack of filter so that none of them come across as annoying.

As Ava and Luke uncover more and more documents, they delve deeper into the events of the past. It is funny when they have to look up things that are mentioned because they are now obsolete. I really enjoyed this nostalgic element of the story. One constant for both generations is the preservation of nature. Saving natural habitats and endangered species is a common issue today; the novel highlights that it is nothing new.

The exploits of the scouts and guides in 1983 reminded me of a much simpler time, and even reminded me of epic adventure stories such as The Famous Five. Janice Hallett has managed to convey the perfect level of mystery and danger so as not to frighten any children reading the book. The chopping and changing between different forms of media, avoiding chapters completely, means that interest is held, but it is easy to put the book down at any point.

Both sets of children manage to solve the crimes they are involved with, however there are still unanswered questions for Ava and Luke. How did the box end up in their loft? Why is their father denying all knowledge of the box? What is in all the other boxes in the loft? No doubt we'll find out more in the sequel!

Author Details

Janice Hallett is the author of five best-selling novels. Her debut, The Appeal, was awarded the CWA Debut Dagger of 2021 and was a Sunday Times’ Bestseller, Waterstones’ Thriller of the Month and Sunday Times’ Crime Book of the Month. Her second novel The Twyford Code was named Crime & Thriller Book of the Year in the British Book Awards 2023. It was also a Sunday Times’ Bestseller and a Financial Times book of the year. The Mysterious Case of the Alperton Angels was an instant Times and Sunday Times bestseller on its launch in January 2023 and a Richard & Judy Book Club pick.

The Christmas Appeal, a fast, fun and festive novella, was launched in October 2023. It was a Times and Sunday Times bestseller.

Her latest novel The Examiner, was an instant Times and Sunday Times bestseller on its launch and is out now.

Janice is a former magazine editor, award-winning journalist, and government communications writer. As a playwright and screenwriter, she penned the feminist Shakespearean stage comedy NetherBard and co-wrote the feature film Retreat.