Golden Girls on the Run - Judy Leigh

 

Description

Thelma and Louise meets The Golden Girls in the BRAND NEW laugh-out-loud, relatable read from MILLION COPY bestseller Judy Leigh! Perfect for fans of Dawn French and Caroline James! 🍷✨❤️

Age is just a number. Trouble is a lifestyle.

When octogenarian sisters-in-law Sadie and Bronagh find themselves at the centre of a scandalous (and slightly explosive) bake-off fiasco, there’s only one thing to do – steal Sadie’s grandson’s gleaming red Ferrari and make a run for it.

Sadie is the practical one, all cardigans and contingency plans. Bronagh treats rules as loose suggestions – especially if mischief or wine is involved.

What begins as a quick getaway across Ireland soon spirals into a wild, cross-country adventure filled with fake identities, unexpected friendships, and more than a few brushes with the law.

Sadie and Bronagh may be on the run, but what they find at the journey’s end might just be what they were missing all along…

A heartwarming, hilarious tale of rebellion, rediscovery, and the true meaning of family.

Review

This is obviously a far fetched tale and as long as you are on board with that from the beginning you will be grand. 

There's trouble at a local bake off in Ireland, when a policeman is assaulted by Bronagh. What to do but go on the run the from the law in a "borrowed Ferrari"! So begins the tale of Bronagh and Sadie who are in their 80s and their escape to Devon to escape the long arm of the law.

Plenty of escapades along the way to Devon made Bronagh and Sadie very likeable if not a little unbelievable. When it was just Bronagh and Sadie I got along fine, but when the other many family members became more involved, I was confused as who was related to who and how. I just read along and decided not to care about it. Overall I liked the book but there were times it was overly descriptive for me and not a lot happened. 

This is a follow on book to The Vintage Village Bake Off. The author helpfully explains at the beginning of the book the crossover and the characters. You could easily read this as a standalone. 

I'm giving this book 3 out of 5 stars. My thanks to Netgalley for the ARC to review. This book is published on 6 December 2026.

A Curtain Twitcher's Book of Murder - Gay Marris

 

Description

Set in London in 1968, A CURTAIN TWITCHER'S BOOK OF MURDER follows the lives of the inhabitants of a suburban London street. But this is no ordinary road.

"Ask anyone on Atbara Avenue how well they know their neighbours, and they'll answer 'well'. After all, they see each other across the vast distance afforded by close proximity, and that is probably for the best...".

For the best, because Atbara Avenue is a street where, all too often, murder feels like the solution.

With a delicious cast of characters, dazzling plotting and an utterly unique voice, Gay Marris' first book is remarkably accomplished. If you've been longing for a fresh and compelling new voice in the world of crime fiction, your wait is over.

Review

It took me a few pages to get into this book as at first it seemed a little banal. Set in the 1960s it felt unfamiliar and hard to regain that era.  That soon changed as the story or rather stories began to unfold. Not really short stories but each chapter focuses on a different house in the street and in time, some of the inhabitants feature in other stories too.

It's a rather unique and very clever read. Without giving out spoilers the closest I can get to the style of the writing is Tales of the Unexpected by Roald Dahl. So many details of life in the past were spot on and of course with no mobile phones, CCTV etc they really could get away with murder!

I'm giving this book 5 out of 5 stars. This book is from my personal bookshelf.

The Six Murders of Daphne St Clair - Mackenzie Common

DESCRIPTION

Meet Daphne St Clair: glamorous ninety-year-old grandmother, care home resident, and your new favourite serial killer.

Meet Ruth Robinson: aspiring true crime podcaster, hunting for a killer story.

Who are you going to trust? . . .

When Daphne confesses to killing a number of men throughout her lifetime, she chooses Ruth to produce the podcast reporting her story. Each episode charts Daphne's humble beginnings from the Dust Bowl in Canada to her glittering life in 70s New York - and a string of murders in her wake.

Daphne tells her story. Ruth listens. And edits it.

The public are hooked. Is she a feminist icon taking revenge on bad men? Or just a ruthless criminal? Then, as the podcast finale approaches, it becomes clear that neither woman has been entirely honest with the other. Who has been controlling the narrative?

After all, the truth doesn't always make for the best story...

A darkly witty thriller, sparking conversations around true crime and female serial killers, for fans of Janice Hallett, Bella Mackie and Katy Brent.

REVIEW

I couldn't put this book down.

I recently bought this book from Amazon for 99p and it's still on offer today. I was so intrigued by the synopsis that I ignored my TBR and sat down to read it immediately. It didn't take long to read because it's a real page turner.

Daphne (her latest name) resides in a retirement complex. Her boyfriend just died and she's 90 years old. So, with nothing better to do, she rings the police and confesses to being a serial killer. Why would she do that, as she knows herself she's not got long left and why waste that time in jail?

Enter Ruth, who is the woman Daphne engages to interview her for a true crime podcast. Throughout the book we have the transcript from the on (and off) air interview and also the comments from listeners with their own thoughts about why Daphne confessed. 

I don't always like books with transcripts, but this just reads like regular dialogue. Daphne is also so interesting to listen to.

Ruth however has her own agenda which I will leave you to discover.

I'm giving this book 5 out of 5 stars.

I Shop, Therefore I Am - Mary Portas

Description

A GUARDIAN 'BEST BOOK TO LOOK FORWARD TO IN 2025'

It’s the 1990s: Britpop is dominating the charts, Kate Moss and Naomi Campbell stare out from the cover of every glossy magazine and British fashion is ripe for reinvention. Leading the charge is a twenty-something Mary Portas who has been brought in to revitalise the department store Harvey Nichols, at the time more likely to be associated with dowagers than daring designers.

With department stores in decline and an alpha male leadership team watching closely, the pressure is immense: make it profitable and make it relevant. Mary steps into a world she doesn’t fully understand – and at first, it shows. But what seems like vulnerability quickly reveals itself as vision. She doesn't rely on fitting in; she leans into instinct, takes bold creative risks and reimagines what luxury could be.

By the millennium, the store would be renowned for its outrageous, headline-grabbing, traffic-stopping window displays; patronage by style icon Lady Di and Bolly-swigging duo Patsy and Edina of the iconic sitcom Ab Fab – no longer fusty old Harvey Nichols but Harvey Nicks, daaarling! I Shop, Therefore I Am is the story of how she did it.

Mary takes us behind the shop window – to the people who kept the show on the road and the early lessons that shaped her career. Told with her trademark wit, grit and candour, readers will see first-hand how, armed only with the blank canvas of a shop window and her own creativity, Mary created an era-defining global brand destination.

Review

I loved Shop Girl and was really looking forward to reading this next installment. It did not disappoint.

For some this will be a history book, as it charts Mary's journey through her time at Harvey Nichols in the 1990s. For me it was a reminiscence, and I enjoyed remembering all the trends and new developments that now are enshrined in our culture.

The part I found most interesting was the behind the scenes goings at Harvey Nichols with the newly launched Ab Fab. I didn't realise that before Ab Fab we never said Harvey Nicks - or that it was such a positive impact on the shop and career of Mary.

There were so many colourful and candid anecdotes involving members of named staff, that I wondered if their names  had been changed? It was very entertaining, but at the same time the toil that Mary and her team went through was also apparent. So much social history is also in the book, from the lack of women on the Board of Directors at HN and the attitude to maternity leave. 

I'm giving this book 4 out of 5 stars. My thanks to NetGalley for the ARC to review.

The Time Hop Coffee Shop = Phaedra Patrick

 

Description

Welcome to the Time Hop Coffee Shop, where wishes can come true . . .

Greta Perks was once the shining star of the iconic Maple Gold coffee commercials, the quintessential TV wife and mom. Now, fame has faded, her marriage is on the rocks, her teenage daughter has become distant, and Greta’s once-glittering career feels like a distant memory.

So when Greta stumbles upon a mysterious coffee shop, serving a magical brew, she wishes for the perfect life in those past Maple Gold commercials. Next thing she knows, Greta wakes in the idyllic, make-believe town of Mapleville, where the sun always shines and the aroma of freshly brewed coffee and second chances fill the air. Given the opportunity to live the life she dreamed, Greta is determined to rewrite her own script. But can life ever be like a coffee commercial? And what will happen when Greta has to choose – between perfection and real life, with no turning back?

'Original, perceptive and supremely enjoyable'- Hazel Prior

Review

I loved escaping into this book.

On the surface this book seems very light hearted. Greta a former star of coffee adverts is missing fame and all that it brought her and her family. When she finds a coffee shop that helps transport her back to the location of the adverts she thinks all her wishes have come true.

I thought every time that Greta was transported to Mapleville of The Truman Show. It seemed to have that same quality where everything was just perfect and nothing bad ever happened. When Greta searches for others that have visited Mapleville she finds someone else, so she knows it's for real. But, what are the consequences of visiting Mapleville and can she find peace and happiness in the here and now rather than going to a perfect paradise?

There was a little twist which i won't reveal but was just delightful and added even more to the story. When Greta was faced with a decision I was unsure what she would choose, and would she ever be truly happy. I'll leave you to read the book and find out what happened for yourself.

The characters were all well drawn and relatable. While it might take a little suspension of disbelief to read the events that unfold, it's a lovely story, which did actually have some deeper meaning within it. 

I'm giving this book 4 out of 5 stars. My thanks to netgalley for the ARC to review.

The Vanishing Cherry Blossom Bookshop - Takuya Asakura

 

Description

For fans of Before the Coffee Gets Cold, What You Are Looking for Is In the Library, and Days at the Morisaki Bookshop comes an enchanting novel that will linger in your heart long after the last page is turned.

As the last petal falls, the final page is turned…

Welcome to The Cherry Blossom Bookshop, a haven for book lovers that only appears during the fleeting cherry blossom season. Nestled amidst the bloom of delicate petals, you’ll find a sanctuary for those burdened by regrets and past sorrows. Here, Sakura, the mysterious young owner, and her wise calico cat, Kobako, patiently await the arrival of souls in need of solace and healing.

Told over four seasons, each visitor to the bookshop holds a book that bridges their past and present, guiding them towards understanding and acceptance. Within the antique charm of the shop and the soothing aroma of freshly brewed coffee, Sakura and Kobako help their guests confront their lingering sadness through the power of stories, enabling them to move forward with renewed hope.

Review

I admit to being drawn to the cover of this book, and that fact that it has Bookshop in the title and set in Japan. Unfortunately it didn't quite hit the mark with me.

As a fan of the books mentioned in the description I felt sure this would be a great read. It started so well and it really did seem to be a book that came at the right time for me. As I read on I felt a little bit of sameness as the next customers arrived at the Bookshop. I got to around half way through and it really wasn't keeping my attention. I did finish reading the book but it wasn't the magical read I was expecting it to be. Towards the end there is a little twist and that reignited by interest.

I'm giving this book 3 out of 5 stars. My thanks to netgalley for the ARC to review.

Body Count - Julie Mae Cohen

 

Description

Saffy Huntley-Oliver returns in the long-awaited sequel to Julie Mae Cohen's blockbuster thriller, BAD MEN.

Bad men beware . . .

Serial killer Saffy Huntley-Oliver's life is going great.

She's got a fabulous new boyfriend, Jonathan. She has literally got away with murder. And now that she's no longer single, she can get back to her favourite hobby: killing bad men.

Particularly Sir Thomas West, a children's TV star who truly deserves to die.

But there are a few little snags. For one, her beloved sister Susie is still dating that insufferable Finlay. For another, Sir Thomas has a very large bodyguard. And Jonathan himself has given up his job investigating true crime, despite all the tempting corpses that Saffy keeps putting in his way.

All of this would be easy to ignore in the flush of new love. Except Saffy's never been in love before, and it's weird. She's having difficulty separating romance from homicide. Especially when someone discovers Saffy's secret hobby and starts sending Jonathan coded messages about her crimes.

Is someone trying to break them up? Or trying to hunt her down?

Review

When I finished Bad Men I wished for a second book - and here it is!

The thing about the first book, was that with Saffy being a serial killer she could not get a serious boyfriend, but this book changes all that. Jonathan who we met in the first book is now staying with Saffy and well things are looking good (if slow) on the relationship front. However, Saffy still knows a few bad men that need to be ended.

There is more of the backstory to Saffy and her sister Susie in this book and a lot more emotional insight into Saffy. At first I was starting to think I wasn't enjoying the book as much as the first one, but then things got really interesting and I kept finding myself thinking - how is she going to get out of this.

As with the first book the humour is very dark and there are obviously things the bad men have done, although not too many details are given. With Johnathan receiving clues about Saffy's crimes and him being a true crime investigator will he finally realise who Saffy is?

I'm giving this book 4 out of 5 stars. My thanks to netgalley for the ARC and the invite from  Bonnier Books UK to review this book.

A Neighbour’s Guide to Murder - Louise Candlish

 

Description

A gripping new thriller from the author of Our House, packed full of stunning twists!

‘Louise Candlish has a gift for examining hotly topical issues with intelligence, wit, and a keen eye for observational detail. A Neighbour’s Guide to Murder is a smartly constructed psychological thriller with a wicked twist in the tale. Flawless!’ Lucy Clarke

‘A terrific story, witty, engaging and a total page-turner.’ Liz Nugent

'A whip-smart, razor-sharp domestic thriller… a fiendishly twisty plot. Gwen is my new obsession!' Isabelle Broom

‘A brilliant mess-with-your-mind slow burn thriller. Louise is a master manipulator and this is not to be missed’ Nikki Smith

'Louise Candlish excels at issue-led plots. A clever “through the keyhole” take on neighbours.' Jane Corry

'Meticulously plotted with twists and turns aplenty. It's a truly addictive read.' Hannah Beckerman

Her secrets will be the death of you.

It’s rare for a room in beautiful, iconic Columbia Mansions to be up for grabs and retiree Gwen is thrilled when its new occupant Pixie turns out to be the most delightful neighbour she could have wished for. Before long the two women have formed an unlikely age-gap friendship and Gwen is making herself useful to Pixie in all kinds of ways.

But when a crime comes to light Gwen’s protective instincts go into overdrive, igniting an appetite for revenge that none of the residents are prepared for.

The last thing they need in Columbia Mansions is a scandal.

The last thing they want is a murder.

Review

Gwen is in her 70s and lives in a flat in a prestigious building. She is on the Board of Directors and is friends with one of the other occupants. However, when young Pixie moves in to her neighbour's flat under the "rent a room" scheme she feels a connection with her, a new young friend. Soon everyone in the building is part of Pixie's life and not for the right reasons.

I've really enjoyed previous books by this author, so I was looking forward to this one. It just didn't quite hit the mark for me. I kept checking the title of the book every so often, because I thought I was expecting something that wasn't going to happen. It also read more like a cosy crime drama - which is ok, just not what I was expecting.

I didn't care for any of the characters. Gwen is rather too much of a pushover, despite her own internal dialogue saying differently. Pixie has her own agenda and uses it to her advantage over others in the building. One of whom is Gwen's Son, who is staying with his Mother after his failed relationship and felt to me like a wet blanket.

The book highlights some of the modern day housing issues experienced in the UK. Also a portrayal of trial by social media, together with the journalistic hunt for a good story. It felt a little protracted with the initial minutia of the story, but at the same time it displays genius plot writing. I was glad I finished the book, it just wasn't really what I was expecting.

I'm giving this book 4 out of 5 stars. My thanks to Net Galley for the ARC to review. The book is published on 17th July 2025.

Dear Miss Lake - AJ Pearce

 

Description

Hope is on the horizon, but her greatest battle is about to begin. . . 

From the author of the Sunday Times bestseller Dear Mrs Bird, Dear Miss Lake returns us to wartime London, where Emmy Lake is facing her greatest challenge yet.

London, July 1944. Journalist Emmy Lake's career is soaring: Woman's Friend magazine is a huge success, and she is finally realizing her dream of becoming a Lady War Correspondent. On the personal front, Emmy's husband Charles has been posted closer to home, and they and their friends Bunty and Harold have escaped to the countryside for a few precious summer days. They all know how lucky they are.

But after nearly five years of war, the nation is struggling. The "Yours Cheerfully" advice column receives more letters than ever, and even though it looks like the war might finally be over by Christmas, the situation is far from resolved. For Emmy and her team, it’s all about pulling together and pushing on. But then disaster strikes. Soon Emmy needs her friends more than ever . . .

Endearing, engaging, and full of heart, Dear Miss Lake is a testament to the power of friendship in the hardest of times.

Review

This is the fourth and final book in the series and IMO the best one. It could be a standalone book. You will find that there are a lot of characters, and you won't know much about them. Best to just begin with the first book and have the joy of reading the whole series.

What I like about these books, is the social history aspect of them, rather than the war aspect. Although in this book there is a little more about the war and those serving with the impact on their loved ones. I also like the angle of the Woman's Friend magazine and the letters they receive. It really brought home to me what life was like for people day to day during the war. The writing is so easy and engaging to read, the characters really brought to life together with their hopes and fears.

Set in 1944 all know that WW2 is about to end from the the timeline without even reading the book. What we don't know is the fate of all the people we have met over the previous three books. I had my favourites and was hoping they would be safe. I did shed a few tears near the end, you will need to read it to find out for yourself why that was. 

I will miss Emmy and the others, but I think it's the right decision to end the story with this book.

I'm giving this book 5 out of 5 stars. My thanks to NetGalley for the ARC to review. The book is published on 3 July 2025.

The Dilemmas of Work Women - Fumio Yamamoto

 

Description

The classic Japanese bestseller published in English for the very first time - a darkly funny and relatable book portraying the lives of five women

'Witty, wise and thought-provoking' Cecelia Ahern
'Crackles and pops with humour, empathy and intelligence' Lisa Owens, author of Not Working
'So brilliantly written that I kept trying to memorise sentences in order to repeat them to people later' Roxy Dunn, author of As Young as This

Izumi needs to get a job.
Haruka needs to stop talking about how she once had cancer.
Katō needs to get through a shift at the convenience store without being harassed.
Mito needs to break up with her boyfriend - or marry him.
Sumie just needs somewhere to live.

In this classic Japanese bestseller, published in English twenty-five years after it took Japan by storm, the lives of five ordinary women are depicted with irresistible humour and searing emotional insight.

Review

A collection of short stories. The title of the book is the title of one of the stories.

If you've previously read Japanese fiction about magical cats and coffee shops, then this is a completely different level of fiction. A glimpse into lives of real women in Japan, albeit 25 years ago. However, in my opinion this could have been written today. The only thing I noticed was the absence of continued reference to technology, particularly mobile phones and social media.

The stories are brilliantly written (and translated). It felt like you were looking at life rather than reading a story. Each woman revealing her flaws and strengths, but not in a stylised way. In the last story the narrator is a man, which threw me as the other stories are narrated by a woman. It took me a minute to get that straight in my head.

I'm not the biggest fan of short stories, but these all felt a lot longer and so enjoyable. There was a depth achieved which is difficult to find when reading a smaller number of words. Whilst not neatly sewn up they all made me think about what came next.

There is also some insight into the author by the translator at the end of the book.

I'm giving this book 5 out of 5 stars. My thanks to Netgalley for the ARC to review. The book is published in the UK on 3 July 2025.

No One Would Do What The Lamberts Have Done - Sophie Hannah

 

Description

The twistiest murder mystery you are ever likely to read?

A story about a family that does the unthinkable in order to save the life of one of its beloved members?

Both? Or something else altogether?

You'll have to read until the very last word in order to find out…

You think it will never happen to you: the ring of the bell, the policeman on the doorstep. What he says traps you in a nightmare that starts with the words, 'I'm afraid…'

Sally Lambert is also afraid, and desperate enough to consider the unthinkable. Is it really, definitely, impossible to escape from this horror? Maybe not. There's always something you can do, right?

Of course, no one would ever do this particular something – except the Lamberts, who might have to.

No one has ever gone this far. Until Sally decides that the Lamberts will…

'An incident involving a dog in a small village escalates to an all-out conflict, turning neighbour against neighbour, and culminating in murder. But who did it? Who was it done to? You'll have to read to the final line to find out! Hugely entertaining and infectiously funny, this joyous adventure is one of Sophie Hannah's very best books. A delight from start to finish.' Alex Michaelides, bestselling author of The Silent Patient.

'The twist is perfection. I think it's just about the cleverest thing I have ever read.' Gillian McAllister, bestselling author of Wrong Place, Wrong Time

'IT. IS. BRILLIANT...it's funny, clever & audacious! I bloody loved it!' Jennie Godfrey, bestselling author of The List of Suspicious Things

'No one writes twisted, suspenseful novels quite like Sophie Hannah' Liane Moriarty, bestselling author of Big Little Lies.

Review

I was really looking forward to reading this book having read a previous book by the author. I was also drawn in by the unusual title. It is an unusual read, but unfortunately not a book I could get invested in. I've also found it difficult to review.

At first I thought it was a YA novel with the characters dialogue, particularly the main narrator sounding naive.   I nearly didn't finish the book after the first 10%. I found it hard going. Although there was action, it also included a lot of scene setting and back story that I didn't find relevant (at the time!).

The book centres around a policeman visiting the house, and informing the owner Sally that they have had a report of an incident involving her dog. Having been a dog owner, I still found the overly descriptive love for the dog (and houses) too over the top. I think if you are not an animal person, then you won't be the audience for this book. A lot of the writing is about dogs, and how much the owner loves her dog.

As the author was granted permission by the Agatha Christie estate to write new novels, it is clearly an indication of her being excellent at her craft. When I got to the last 10% of the book it finally gripped me! I realised how clever it was, and I could see Agatha Christie comparisons. Unfortunately it was too late to give a higher rating to the book overall.

I'm giving this book 3 out of 5 stars.  My thanks to netgalley for the ARC to review. This book is published on 19 June 2025.

The Silver Ladies Seize The Day - Judy Leigh

 

Description

A BRAND NEW feel-good read from MILLION COPY BESTSELLER Judy Leigh, perfect for fans of Dawn French and Caroline James! ✨

You’re never too old to fall in love…again!

Cecily Hamilton is months away from her ninety-second birthday. She’s lived life to the full, choosing work over romance, friendship over love. And now she has a host of silver-haired friends living nearby, ready to fill her time with picnic lunches, prosecco and cheer!

Cecily thought she was content. She thought her cup was full…

But when the granddaughter of Cecily’s first and only love arrives on her doorstep, claiming that her grandfather, Eddie, is still in love with Cecily after all these years, Cecily wonders if there might be room for a little romance after all. Especially since, one by one, her friends keep falling head over heels for old flames and new.

Can the oldest silver lady of the bunch really hope for her own second chance at love? Is it finally time for Cecily to seize the day?

Review

I've read a few of Judy Leigh's books and enjoyed them, this was no exception. I wish I had realised this was a sequel though, as I felt I didn't really get the full measure of all the characters. At the beginning of the book there is a recap of who is who, but it was too lengthy for me to take in. I read on and just went with the flow.

Cecily is nearly 92 and she's a retired teacher who had her heart broken 70 years ago. It was this story that made me want to read the book, but it is only a small part of the story. As the title implies the Silver Ladies seize the day and each of the ladies in the group have their own road they have travelled. They have decisions to make as to whether they stay on that road, or go along another one.

I loved the character of Cecily and she is the one I felt I got to know the most. As the book flips between each of the silver ladies I was a little disappointed when we left Cecily, although she did have a part in each of the others stories too.

A nice gentle read. It's not all roses around the door in the village though, there are a few nasty encounters. A well written observation of life and all that goes with it and some hope and encouragement that life is still for living as we age. 

My thanks to Netgalley for the ARC to review. I am giving this book 3 out of 5 stars.

This Is Not A Game - Kelly Mullen

 

Description

Two unlikely detectives. A killer cocktail of suspects.

A Gibson martini garnished with three silverskin onions is 77-year-old Mimi’s favourite cocktail. It is best served with a crossword puzzle, not as an apéritif at Jane Ireland's extravagant auction party.

But given Mimi has been blackmailed into attending Jane's event, at a grand old mansion on Mackinac Island (Michigan’s answer to The Hamptons), there are worse drinks she could spend an evening sinking.

Thankfully for her, she's roped her granddaughter, Addie – who is escaping the heartache caused by her manipulative ex-fiancé – into accompanying her. While Addie spots celebrities and socialites in the manor's labyrinth of dark rooms and Mimi wonders how to confess the real reason for her presence at the soiree, a scream pierces the air.

Jane is dead.

And when a second body turns up, Mimi and Addie soon become the unlikeliest of sleuths in a race to narrow down the suspects.

In a house that contains as many secrets as the people within it, it’s going to take more than a Gibson to survive the night…

Review

The book is set on Mackinac Island in a Grand old Mansion with it's own drawbridge. Resident Mimi is attending an auction there as part of a blackmail note she receives. Not wanting to go alone she invites her Grand Daughter Addie from the mainland to go with her. Addie has her own issues to contend with after breaking up with her fiancé who was also the co-author of a successful online murder game she wrote.

Despite the title, the story did feel more like a game to me. I couldn't really take it seriously especially as at every turn of events Addie was comparing it to the game she co-wrote. She and Mimi take upon themselves to be the detectives after no one can gain access to the mansion due to the weather. 

There were parts where I was really drawn into the drama and was enjoying reading the book. Overall it felt a little repetitive for me. Some of the dialogue was very stilted, more like a murder mystery party than a real life drama. The characters didn't feel real and although it was set in present day it seemed more like the 1920s.

I'm giving this book 3 out of 5 stars.

My thanks to Netgalley for the ARC to review. This book is published on 24 May 2025.

Mrs Spy - M. J. Robotham

 

Description

Get ready for a pulse-pounding, laugh-out-loud ride through 1960s London as Maggie Flynn, unexpected MI5 operative and single mum, unravels the intelligence agency's most treacherous secrets.

***

Maggie Flynn isn’t your typical 1960s mum.

She’s a spy, a covert operative for MI5, stalking London’s streets in myriad disguises.

Widowed and balancing her clandestine career with raising a very angsty teenage daughter, Maggie finds comfort and purpose in her profession – providing a connection to her late husband, whose own covert past only surfaced after his death.

But Maggie’s world spins out of control when a chance encounter with a mysterious Russian agent triggers a chilling revelation: he knew her husband. And what’s worse, the agent suspects someone on home soil betrayed him.

As Maggie searches for answers, she’ll question everyone – and everything – she thought she could trust. In the dangerous world of espionage, can she outsmart those determined to keep her silenced?

Review

Not what I expected from the title.

Set in the 1960s Maggie Flynn is Mrs Spy. She is widowed and has a daughter and errant mother living with her. She's no Jane Bond and is far from glamourous in her role as a watcher. Something a middle aged woman is suited to, as no one gives her a second glance, especially in her many wigs. 

She's fairly content with her lot apart from a nasty bunion causing her grief. Then she has to mind a Russian agent with whom she has an interesting conversation, which leads her to believe her husband was much more than a watcher himself.

I loved the social history aspects of this book. From Maggie trying to obtain Beatles tickets for her daughter to her taking her shopping on the Kings Road. It all seemed fairly low key and pedestrian when the plot took a bit of a sinister turn and my interest was piqued. There were some truly nail biting parts that followed and I would have liked more of those. 

Maggie is a strong character and that shows through from her transition from a watcher to actually spying. 

However, I didn't find this book laugh out loud as the blurb suggests. There were amusing scenes of domesticity with her daughter and mother and some very true to life observations of a middle aged lady's ailments.

I'm giving this book 3 out of 5 stars. My thanks to netgalley for the ARC to review. The book is published on 15 May 2025.

The Second Chance Book Club - Stephanie Butland

I'm on the Blog Tour for this wonderful book today.

Description

Dear Ms Blythe

We are dealing with an estate of which you may be a beneficiary. Please send any documents in your possession that relate to your birth and adoption.

September is at her wits' end. There's never enough money to support her boyfriend and herself. September has nothing to look forward to.

Then the letter comes. September has inherited a house from a great-aunt she never knew she had. It would make sense to sell it. But when sees the place - the orange gate, the garden, the tree, the bumblebee door knocker - she doesn't want to let it go. Not yet. Then the members of the book club arrive, and she begins to discover the story of the family she didn't know. And to make new friends.

September feels safe here. But money alone can't bring contentment. September is just at the start of a journey full of surprises, shocks – and opportunities, if she's brave enough . . .

Review

As soon as I began to read this book I knew I already loved it!

We meet September as she is struggling to make ends meet and her boyfriend is not helping financially or being supportive. She receives a letter that looks like it may be a demand of some sort, so she is not keen to open it. When she does open it, she is informed she may have inherited a house from a relative she never knew. In fact she never knew she had any relatives. 

After her inheritance is confirmed September goes to visit the house which was owned by her Aunt Lucia, and to say she is overwhelmed is an understatement. Her boyfriend is keen to sell and get a new place together. September decides to move into the house and finds all sorts of things within it, including a book club.

The story flip flops between present day and back when Aunt Lucia was alive. We learn a little more quickly than September some secrets and I was itching for her to find them out. 

There is so much within the pages of this book including love, hate, anger, prejudice, adoption, women's rights and deception. The characters were all brought to life so vividly. To say too much would give spoilers, but I will say that I was so pleased that there was an Epilogue. I feel I can let everyone go knowing what happens, although this book will stay with me for a long time.

At the end of the book is a list of all the books referred to, so no need to make a list!

I'm giving this book 5 out of 5 stars. My thanks to Headline Books for providing me with a copy of the book to review and inviting me onto the Blog Tour today.

The Cat Who Saved the Library - Sosuke Natsukawa

 

Description

The must-have sequel to Sosuke Natsukawa's bestselling The Cat Who Saved Books – an uplifting tale from Japan about a talking cat, a book-loving girl and the power of books to make a difference in the world.

Nanami sees nothing wrong with a library and cat combination. But a talking cat is a whole other story.

Nanami Kosaki loves reading. The local library is a home from home and books have become her best friends. When Nanami notices books disappearing from the library shelves, she’s particularly curious about a suspicious man in a grey suit whose furtive behaviour doesn’t feel right. Should she follow him to see what he’s up to?

When a talking tabby cat called Tiger appears to warn her about how dangerous that would be, together they’re brave enough to follow the frightening trail to find out where all the books have gone. Will Nanami and Tiger overcome the challenges of the adventure ahead?

Warm, wonderful and wise, The Cat Who Saved the Library is also a powerful lesson never to underestimate the value of great literature, and a reminder always to think for ourselves, no matter what our charismatic leaders might say.

Translated from Japanese by Louise Heal Kawai

Review

A follow up to The Cat Who Saved Books. It is a standalone book, so you can read it and enjoy, even if you didn't read the previous book.

Nanami realises that books are disappearing from her local library, but she seems to be the only one that notices. As of course it is a library and books will be on loan, but she knows they have been gone for much longer. Then she notices a grey man who is always hanging about in the library racks. Time for the cat to appear and help her save the books.

I was reminded of Fahrenheit 451, albeit fleetingly, as the story traces Nanami on a mission to save the books from another world to which they are being taken. It also charts her discoveries about life and people and her own seeming fragility.

Apart from the cat there is also another character from the first book that appears which was a nice touch. Overall I am not sure I enjoyed it as much as the first book. There was a lot of detail about the other world and it certainly stretched the imagination.

I'm giving this book 3 out of 5 stars. My thanks to netgalley for the ARC to review.

The Maid's Secret - Nita Prose

 

Description

Molly the Maid is used to being invisible. But it's time for her to shine in a brand new mystery…

**AVAILABLE TO PRE-ORDER NOW**

*THE SPARKLING NEW MYSTERY FROM THE NO.1 BESTSELLING AUTHOR OF THE MAID*

–––––

Molly the maid is no stranger to secrets…

She sees everything behind closed doors at the Regency Grand hotel: wiping away the dust and grime of guests passing through.

But one secret lies much closer to home.

An old trinket – a faux Fabergé egg – is revealed to be a precious antique during an appraisal at the hotel, making Molly a rags-to-riches sensation. But no sooner has the egg shown its value than it’s stolen: vanishing without a trace.

Determined to crack the case of the missing Fabergé, Molly begins dusting for clues – uncovering a mystery that stretches deep into the past.

For in the pages of a long-forgotten diary, written by her late gran, lie the secrets that could unlock all others – and only Molly holds the key…

Review

This is the third book (there was a novella too) in the Molly the Maid series. I enjoyed the first one, loved the second one and this one I felt didn't quite hit the mark for me.

When the hotel where Molly works hosts a TV programme that values antiques, Molly decides to take a few of her late Grandmothers trinkets to be valued. When one of them is found to be a rare antique and extremely valuable, it seems Molly's life is about to change.

The book flip flops between the present, with Molly getting married, and the past, through her Grandmother's old diary. We get to read the diary before Molly does, and so the pieces of the mystery of the trinket begin to be uncovered. I really liked the parts of the diary, but then felt annoyed when I had to get back to the present day. 

Molly didn't seem to have the same voice as she had previously, but that could have been due to all the mayhem being caused by the antique being valuable, and the changes it will bring to her life. The character of Molly really came back true to form towards the end of the book. She began to take control over the situation with the antique, and I thought it was more like the first two books.

I'm giving this book 3 out of 5 stars because I did find it hard going at times. My thanks to netgalley for the ARC to review. The book is published on 10 April 2025.

Fair Play - Louise Hegarty

 

Description

This is a murder mystery. This is a story about love. Or is it? . . .

Fair Play is the puzzle-box story of two competing tales that brilliantly lay bare the real truth of life - the terrifying mystery of grief.

'A treat – clever, confident, and always surprising, a mystery story that ingeniously escapes the locked room of the genre to take on the biggest questions of life and death' Paul Murray, author of THE BEE STING

'Dazzling, formally subversive, brimming with compassion' Colin Walsh, author of KALA

Abigail and her brother Benjamin have always been close. To celebrate his birthday, Abigail hires a grand old house and gathers their friends together for a murder mystery party. As the night goes on, they drink too much and play games. Relationships are forged, consolidated or frayed. Someone kisses someone they shouldn’t, someone else’s heart is broken.

In the morning, everyone wakes up – except Benjamin.

Suddenly everything is not quite what it seems. An eminent detective arrives determined to find Benjamin’s killer. The house now has a butler, a gardener and a housekeeper. This is a locked-room mystery, and everyone is a suspect.

As Abigail attempts to fathom her brother’s unexpected death in a world that has been turned upside down, she begins to wonder whether perhaps the true mystery might have been his life . . .

Review

At first I wasn't sure what I had just finished reading, I needed time to digest it.

The book opens with Abigail preparing an Air BNB for the yearly NY party/her Brother's birthday. So far so good. The guests begin to arrive, rather a lot to keep track of for me.

The next day is Benjamin's (her brother) birthday. But he never wakes up to celebrate. He is found in a locked bedroom. A fictional detective and his sidekick turn up to investigate and it appears the house the guests are in, is not a Air BNB, but a grand house that Abigail and her brother own. They even have their own servants. It would seem we are also transported back to the 1930s judging by the dialogue. Strange I thought, reading on and deciding to stick with it.

I actually enjoyed the fictional detective and his powers of deduction ala Monsieur Poirot. The plot became a little like the "Sliding Doors" film. It got a tedious when there was a lot of repeated dialogue, which I scan read. Maybe italics might have been good at this point to distinguish the prose just read. 

Then came the ending. Which at first floored me, I had no idea what had happened. Mulling it over for some time after finishing I think I can reconcile what Abigail was doing and the reason for the ending, but that would be a spoiler.

Most important to mention is that this is not an Agatha Christie clone, or a mystery per se. The trope is used to convey much more than that, so you may be disappointed, or confused if you are expecting it to be purely a murder mystery.

The more I mull, the more I realise how clever the writing is, but it won't be for everyone. So I am giving this book 4 out of 5 stars. The book is published 3 April 2025. My thanks to netgalley for the ARC to review.

Vera Wong's Guide to Snooping (on a Dead Man) - Jesse Sutanto

 

Description

The follow-up to the bestselling Vera Wong's Unsolicited Advice to Murderers

Tea-shop owner. Matchmaker. Detective?

Vera Wong is perfectly content as a teashop owner. She is definitely not seeking opportunities for amateur sleuthing. But what else is she to do when a distressed woman called Millie asks for her help?

Okay, perhaps Vera wheedled the story out of her. And maybe the case file for Millie’s missing friend Thomas didn’t exactly fall into her lap. Everyone knows a locked briefcase is just asking to be opened by someone handy with a hairpin.

Not even the aroma of chrysanthemum tea can stop Vera from catching the scent of this mystery. However dangerous it is, Vera intends to uncover the truth in the only way that this Chinese mother knows how: by spilling the tea.

‘I thoroughly loved it. With a Vera in your life nothing bad can ever happen!’ J. M. Hall, bestselling author of A Spoonful of Murder

‘Had me laughing aloud within its first five pages. Charming, hilarious and heartfelt’ Emily Henry, New York Times bestselling author of Beach Read

‘A dazzling debut full of humour and love. A comedy caper, doused in black humour, comical references, mixed with romance – fans of Crazy Rich Asians will love it’ My Weekly

‘Brilliant, wicked and dead, dead funny’ Andi Osho, Asking For A Friend

Review

I loved it.

We met Vera in Vera Wong's Unsolicited Advice to Murderers and it was so good to catch up with her again. This book seemed a little more serious than the first book, but that's not to say it was still funny. Whilst this is a standalone I think you would enjoy it more after reading the first book. There is some recapping, which was useful for me, but maybe not enough to flesh out the background and the characters for a first time reader.

In this book we see Vera become a Tik Tok sensation and of course add more people to those she is now counting as family. She really is an incredible and endearing character. There were a couple of sensational scenes with Vera sticking up for her new found friends. Although I feared for Vera this time, as she does hit home with her snooping regarding a very serious undercover crime. 

Winifred in the next door shop is also back with the gentle feuding between her and Vera. This time with new pastries that sounded incredible and made me ache to visit her and Vera. I guess we will just have to hope there is a another book.

I'm giving this book 5 out of 5 stars. My thanks to netgalley for the ARC to review. This book is published on 10 April 2025.