Barnsey's Books

The Final Vow

2026-04-09T15:08:00.000+01:00

By M. W. Craven

Review

A 2026 Top Rated Read

The Final Vow is the ninth M. W. Craven book I've read and it's the latest instalment in the Washington Poe and Tilly Bradshaw series. If you haven't yet read any of these books you're missing out on gripping storylines, absolutely fabulous characters and some hilarious banter.

This time Poe and Tilly are racing against the clock to identify, locate and capture a serial killer. No one knows where he'll strike next and the public are terrified. There doesn't appear to be a pattern behind the killings and the entire country remains at risk. It seems hopeless — finding a needle in a haystack would be easier. But the killer hasn't reckoned on analytical genius Tilly Bradshaw. . .

The Final Vow was yet another fantastic read in this wonderful series. The plot was excellent and the suspense had me on the edge of my seat. I love the unbreakable bond and mutual respect between Poe and Tilly despite their very different backgrounds and ages. I adore Tilly with her socially awkward quirks and genius intellect. I can't wait to see where their next investigation takes them. Long may the series continue.

★★★★★

Print Length: 416 pages
Publisher: Constable
Publication Year: 2025
Author: M. W. Craven
Genre: Crime, Thriller

Synopsis

An invisible killer with a 100% success rate. No one is safe. Not even those closest to Washington Poe . . .

A shooting at Gretna Green. A bride is murdered on her wedding day, seconds after she slips on her new ring. It's brutal and bloody but she isn't the first victim and she won't be the last. With the body count now at 17, people are terrified, not knowing where the sniper will strike next.

With the nation in a state of panic, the police are at a loss and turn to Washington Poe and Tilly Bradshaw - the only team who just might be able to track down a serial killer following no discernible pattern and with the whole country as his personal hunting ground. Can Poe and Tilly stop an unstoppable assassin, who never misses his mark and never makes a mistake? Or will he find them before they find him...

The Girl on the Train

2026-03-26T11:56:00.001+00:00

By Paula Hawkins

Review

This is the first book by Paula Hawkins that I've read and whilst I liked it, I struggled to connect with any of the characters. I thought the pacing was fairly sluggish and the constant references to alcohol and drunkenness became, if I'm totally honest, tedious.

The story started off well and showed promise but then descended into 'The Rachel Sh*t Show' (pardon my French!). It was sad to see the person she had become. The main focus was her alcoholism rather than the mystery of what she'd seen from the train window. Instead of adding depth to her character, it became distracting and annoying. What could have been an excellent book was only an average read for me.

★★★☆☆

Print Length: 432 pages
Publisher: Black Swan
Publication Year: 2015
Author: Paula Hawkins
Genre: Psychological Thriller

Synopsis

Rachel catches the same commuter train every morning. She knows it will wait at the same signal each time, overlooking a row of back gardens. She's even started to feel like she knows the people who live in one of the houses. 'Jess and Jason', she calls them. Their life - as she sees it - is perfect. If only Rachel could be that happy.

And then she sees something shocking. It's only a minute until the train moves on, but it's enough.

Now everything's changed. Now Rachel has a chance to become a part of the lives she's only watched from afar.

Now they'll see; she's much more than just the girl on the train. . .

The Escape

2026-03-20T11:59:00.004+00:00

By C.L. Taylor

Review

I'm becoming quite a fan of C.L. Taylor's psychological thrillers. I've read a few of her books and she never disappoints. Her storytelling is well-structured, exciting and always has plenty of twists and turns.

Escape tells the story of a mother, Jo Blackmore, and her young daughter, Elise, who, after a series of unsettling events, feel unsafe to remain in their home. They flee to Ireland in the hope of finding safety but things don't go according to plan.

This book was a really good read. I was never quite sure exactly what was going on or why. It was fast-paced, gripping and extremely immersive. The conclusion was a very tense yet satisfying end to the book.

★★★★☆

Print Length: 432 pages
Publisher: Avon
Publication Year: 2017
Author: C.L. Taylor
Genre: Psychological Thriller

Synopsis

When a stranger asks Jo Blackmore for a lift she says yes, then swiftly wishes she hadn't.

The stranger knows Jo's name, she knows her husband Max and she's got a glove belonging to Jo's two year old daughter Elise.

What begins with a subtle threat swiftly turns into a nightmare as the police, social services and even Jo's own husband turn against her.

No one believes that Elise is in danger. But Jo knows there's only one way to keep her child safe – RUN.

The Mark of Eternity

2026-02-23T08:46:00.000+00:00

By Murray Bailey

☆ Blog Tour ☆

Review

A 2026 Top Rated Read

Although I always recommend reading series books in publication order, don't be put off if you haven't read book one, The Heretic Cypher. In my opinion book two, The Mark of Eternity, works well on its own. However, I strongly urge you to read book one because it's flipping excellent and you'd be daft to miss out! Enough said and on with my review. . .

Female protagonist FBI Special Agent Charlie Rebb is on the trail of a serial killer, dubbed The Surgeon. Her investigation takes her to Cairo, Egypt. Meanwhile, in Egypt, archaeologist Alex MacLure has been contacted by a student who is convinced the pyramids are part of a conspiracy theory. He enlists MacLure's help to piece together an ancient message using the Amarna Letters.

Before long, Special Agent Rebb crosses paths with MacLure when it's discovered The Surgeon desperately needs information contained within the Amarna Letters. Events quickly spiral out of control when MacLure's girlfriend goes missing and is presumed to be in the clutches of The Surgeon.

This is a fast-paced twisty thriller with an intriguing plot. It's very well-written with plenty of shocking surprises. The archaeology and symbology, of which there is a good amount, is fascinating (move over Robert Langdon, there's a new kid on the block!) and I was transfixed. I'd describe Alex MacLure as a modern day Indiana Jones who finds himself plunged into perilous situations with ruthless adversaries.

This a fantastic read by an author whose storytelling and depth of knowledge leaves me astounded every time. It goes without saying I highly recommend it.

★★★★★

Print Length: 381 pages
Publisher: Three Daggers
Publication Year: Hardcover 2025, Kindle 2026
Author: Murray Bailey
Genre: Thriller

Synopsis

An ancient code. A deadly killer. A truth buried beneath the sands of time.

FBI Special Agent Charlie Rebb thought the Surgeon - a notorious serial killer - was a ghost from the past. But when a new series of murders erupts, each marked with strange, arcane symbols, the trail leads Rebb across continents to Egypt... and to a chilling revelation: the Surgeon has returned, and this time, his killings follow a pattern—one tied to a purpose more terrifying than anyone imagined.

Meanwhile, in Egypt, Alex MacLure has uncovered more encoded messages in ancient tablets. An ancient Egyptian was searching for a forgotten symbol. His name appears in a programme written by a brilliant AI student. The student reaches out with a wild theory - but before MacLure discovers the truth, he’s arrested for a murder he didn’t commit.

Thrown together by fate and hunted by forces beyond their understanding, Rebb and MacLure must unlock an ancient secret. They must stop the Surgeon before he unleashes a plan, millennia in the making.

Hamnet

2026-02-11T12:14:00.002+00:00

By Maggie O'Farrell

Review

A 2026 Top Rated Read

Hamnet by Maggie O'Farrell is the fictionalised story of Hamnet, the son of English playwright William Shakespeare and his wife Agnes (Anne) Hathaway. Little is known of Hamlet's life except that he had an elder sister, Susanna, a twin sister, Judith, and he died aged 11.

The author has written a beautiful account of what could have taken place. It touches the heart and brings the past to life. I couldn't help but be swept along by an emotional and deeply moving story.

Characterisation was so superb that I felt as though I'd been plucked from the 21st Century and dropped straight into the 16th; such was the vivid picture of Elizabethan England. This was a truly wonderful read which will stay in my thoughts for a very long time.

★★★★★

Print Length: 384 pages
Publisher: Tinder Press
Publication Year: 2020
Author: Maggie O'Farrell
Genre: Historical Fiction, Literary Fiction

Synopsis

A LOVE THAT DRAWS THEM TOGETHER. A LOSS THAT THREATENS TO TEAR THEM APART.

The untold love story that inspired Shakespeare's greatest masterpiece.

On a summer's day in 1596, a young girl in Stratford-upon-Avon takes to her bed with a sudden fever. Her twin brother, Hamnet, searches everywhere for help. Why is nobody at home?

Their mother, Agnes, is over a mile away, in the garden where she grows medicinal herbs. Their father is working in London.

Neither parent knows that Hamnet will not survive the week.

Hamnet tells the powerful story of Agnes and Will, and of the son whose life has been all but forgotten, but who inspired one of the greatest plays ever written.

All the Colours of the Dark

2026-02-10T12:36:00.000+00:00

By Chris Whitaker

Review

A 2026 Top Rated Read

This epic story begins in 1975 with two American kids, Patch and Saint, who build an enduring friendship together. Although their lives take very different paths, they never forget their roots or the one event that changed them forever. Their lives would never be the same.

All the Colours of the Dark is an incredible read. It's beautifully written and pulls at the heartstrings with emotion and hope. I can say without a shadow of doubt it's one of the best books I've ever read. I really can't put into words how much it moved me.

The characters are brought to life with such depth and clarity that they become real people you care about and want the best for. It's Patch and Saint who, whether together or apart, drive the story forwards.

Yes, it's a long book that requires commitment but it's so good that the pages literally fly by. It didn't drag or bog me down. It was an incredible read that punched me in the heart and twisted my insides but left me brimming with hope. If you read only one book this year make sure it's this.

★★★★★

Print Length: 592 pages
Publisher: Orion
Publication Year: 2024
Author: Chris Whitaker
Genre: Crime, Literary Fiction, Thriller

Synopsis

Two childhood best friends.
Torn apart by tragedy.
Reunited by their search for the truth.
Even if finding it means losing each other forever...

A sweeping coming-of-age tale, an epic love story and a searing thriller, all unfolding on a vast canvas.

The Shame Game

2026-01-15T12:41:00.006+00:00

By L. D. Smithson

Review

A group of friends all have secrets they've kept locked away and hidden. But someone knows what they are and is playing a twisted game of blackmail. . . someone close to them. . . someone who is watching and waiting.

In January 2025 I read a booked entitled The Escape Room by L. D. Smithson. I was blown away by how on-trend and thrilling it was. It became my favourite book of the year. Fast forward to January 2026 and I've just finished the author's new book, The Shame Game. Although it had a completely different vibe, it was an excellent read.

The group of friends, some privileged and some not so much, weren't particularly likeable but they grew on me. Instead of being a straightforward case of blackmail, the author took it to another level with a brilliant twist — ruin your best friend's life to keep your own secret hidden. It was devilishly devious! The friends' lives are plunged deeper into turmoil as they wrestle with their consciences.

The plot was good but not on quite the same level as The Escape Room, which, in my opinion, would be almost impossible to beat. Nevertheless it's definitely worthy of being on anyone's 'To Read' list. I really enjoyed it and I'm excited to see what the author produces next.

★★★★☆

Print Length: 448 pages
Publisher: Penguin
Publication Year: 2025
Author L. D. Smithson
Genre: Psychological Thriller

Synopsis

Welcome to The Shame Game. Are you ready to play?

I know what you did. What you’ve kept hidden all these years. Now I’m going to make it public. Unless you do exactly what I say.

There’s only one way to keep your secret hidden: you need to ruin your best friend’s life. Take it apart, piece by piece, until they have nothing left. Betray their trust. Put them to shame.

Let the game begin…

Silent Night

2026-01-13T11:04:00.001+00:00

By Nell Pattison

Review

Paige Northwood is a freelance British Sign Language interpreter who occasionally assists the police with their investigations. This time her skills are needed when a child goes missing on an overnight trip for pupils from a school for the deaf. The situation worsens when a teacher's body is discovered in the snow. Who murdered him and why?

Silent Night is set in winter with snow blanketing the ground and freezing temperatures adding to the claustrophobic atmosphere. Paige is making a fresh start after leaving a troubled relationship. However, the police investigation brings her into contact with her ex and all the bad memories come flooding back. Has he changed, as he claims, or is he mixed up in the murder and disappearance?

This is the second book in the Paige Northwood series but it works equally well as a standalone. All the necessary information is given without any spoilers from book one. I really enjoyed it and thought the plot was intriguing and original. I haven't read the first book (yet) but I have read one of the author's other books, Hide.

I thought the plot was well constructed, with relatable characters and some hair-raising situations. Paige seemed very real and I empathised with her. The balance between her personal life and the ongoing police investigation hit the mark in my opinion. Overall, a great read with some formidable characters and a good storyline.

★★★★☆

Print Length: 400 pages
Publisher: Avon
Publication Year: 2020
Author: Nell Pattison
Genre: Crime, Psychological Thriller

Synopsis

What happened while they were sleeping?

A school for the deaf takes an overnight trip to the snowy woods. Five teenagers go to sleep, but only four wake up. Leon is missing, and a teacher’s body is found in the forest…

Sign language interpreter Paige Northwood is brought in to help with interrogations. Everyone at the school has a motive for murder – but they all have an alibi.

As Paige becomes increasingly involved, she suspects there’s something sinister going on. With the clock ticking to find Leon, only one thing is certain: the killer is among them, and ready to strike again…

Grace

2026-01-12T14:00:00.003+00:00

By A. M. Shine

Review

Adopted at 4-years-old, Grace, now an adult, receives a phone call telling her that her biological mother has died. She decides to visit the remote Irish island, Croaghnakeela, where her mother lived. There's only one boat in and the same boat out yet the captain has never stepped foot onto its land. Surprised by the island's bleakness, Grace notices that most of the houses have fallen into disrepair and there doesn't appear to be any children. Something very strange is happening here. Grace has no idea what awaits in the darkness. . .

Having read and enjoyed two of the author's previous books — The Watchers and Stay in the Light — I was very keen to see where his new book would take me. Based on Irish folklore, it was extremely dark and creepy with an unsettling evil vibe. Let's just say don't even attempt to read it if you're of a nervous disposition! Yes, I did enjoy it but less so than the other two books I mentioned. I didn't connect with it in quite the same way. Although the folklore was exceptionally good, I wasn't so keen on how the story was delivered.

★★★☆☆

Print Length: 279 pages
Publisher: Head of Zeus
Publication Year: 2026
Author: A. M. Shine
Genre: Horror

Synopsis

TO LEARN THE TRUTH
WOULD YOU DESCEND INTO HELL?

Off the west coast of Ireland lies a lonely island, isolated and wilfully forgotten. Some say there hasn't been a child born on the island for thirty years. Others speak of strange deaths there, decades ago. But no one really knows what happened. Locals believe that the dark times are behind them.

They are mistaken.

Grace, adopted at four years old, has never known where she came from. A mysterious phone call leads her back to the island where she was born – and where a terrible evil has been disturbed.

As the evil starts to spread, Grace finds herself dragged back into a living nightmare that threatens to engulf anyone who steps into its path.

The Woman on the Ledge

2025-12-22T12:45:00.002+00:00

By Ruth Mancini

Review

A woman falls to her death from the roof of a high-rise London bank. Was she pushed or did she jump? The evidence points towards it being murder but who would want her dead and why?

The Woman on the Ledge is the first Ruth Mancini book I've read. Whilst it was an entertaining read, I thought it was rather convoluted and contained too many coincidences to be convincing. There were plenty of plot twists but I couldn't connect with the main characters. It was difficult to know who was being truthful and who wasn't, which I suppose was the author's intension but in the end I didn't really care!

★★★☆☆

Print Length: 432 pages
Publisher: Penguin
Publication Year: 2024
Author: Ruth Mancini
Genre: Psychological Thriller

Synopsis

A tragic accident? Or murder?

A woman falls to her death from a London bank's twenty-fifth-floor roof terrace.

You're arrested for her murder.

You tell the police that you only met the victim the previous night at your office party. She was threatening to jump from the roof, but you talked her down.

You've got nothing to do with this tragedy.
You're clearly being framed.

So why do the police keep picking holes in your story?
And why doesn't your lawyer seem to believe you?

It soon becomes obvious that you're keeping secrets.

But who are you trying to protect? And why?

Prayer for the Dead

2025-12-02T10:45:00.000+00:00

By James Oswald

Review

When a missing journalist's body is discovered inside a sealed chamber at Gilmerton Cove, Inspector Tony McLean realises he knew the victim. However, the investigation is hampered by a surprising lack of forensic evidence at the crime scene. McLean teams up with an old adversary to find out why the victim was targeted and catch the sadistic killer.

I'm a big fan of this Scottish crime series set in Edinburgh and I'm gradually working my way through each book in publication order. Prayer for the Dead is book no. 5. I really enjoy the supernatural element, along with characters who leave lasting impressions — Madame Rose, the cross-dressing fortune teller, is fab! I thought the plot was intriguing and the pacing was good, with plenty of twists and turns along the way. I shall be diving into book 6 soon.

★★★★☆

Print Length: 480 pages
Publisher: Penguin
Publication Year: 2015
Author: James Oswald
Genre: Crime

Synopsis

'Are you ready to be reborn?'

The search for a missing journalist is called off as a body is found at the scene of a carefully staged murder.

In a sealed chamber, deep in the heart of Gilmerton Cove, a mysterious network of caves and passages sprawling beneath Edinburgh, the victim has undergone a macabre ritual of purification.

Inspector Tony McLean knew the dead man, and can't shake off the suspicion that there is far more to this case than meets the eye. The baffling lack of forensics at the crime scene seems impossible. But it is not the only thing about this case that McLean will find beyond belief.

Teamed with the most unlikely and unwelcome of allies, he must track down a killer driven by the darkest compulsions, who will answer only to a higher power...

'Are you ready for the mysteries to be revealed?'

The Alpine Retreat

2025-12-01T13:27:00.000+00:00

By Sarah Goodwin

Review

When an avalanche hits the Swiss Alps, the entitled guests holidaying at an exclusive wellness retreat are trapped. Without power and the road blocked by snow, rescue is several days away. Tempers begin to flare as their situation worsens. Then a body is discovered. . .

I really enjoyed The Alpine Retreat. As the body count climbed I was suspicious of everyone. Danger and paranoia lurked around every corner. I loved the remote setting where the deep snow, bitter coldness, isolation and the rapidly diminishing food supply caused suspicion and accusations. The atmosphere was claustrophobic and menacing throughout. Whilst not the most original plot, it was fast-paced and exciting. I look forward to reading more of Sarah's books in the future.

★★★★☆

Print Length: 336 pages
Publisher: Avon
Publication Year: 2026
Author: Sarah Goodwin
Genre: Psychological Thriller

Synopsis

Relax. Recharge. Run for your life.

High in the secluded Swiss Alps, The Sorgente wellness retreat promises luxury, rejuvenation, and exclusivity: a paradise for celebrities seeking anonymity. Chloe – a stressed-out publicity crisis manager whose job just about qualifies her for this kind of refuge – joins a select group of actors, celebrities and social media stars to relax and recharge.

But when they arrive and have their technology confiscated, the group is horrified. To make matters worse, an avalanche traps them in the remote lodge overnight.

When they awake in the morning, one of their own has been attacked, and it’s not long before the bodies begin piling up. With the dangers of mother nature to contend with, the aerial lift down the mountain broken, and a killer on the loose, tensions couldn’t be higher. As paranoia sets in and dark secrets unravel, they realize that nothing is as it seems…

Someone is watching. Someone is hunting. And not everyone will make it out alive.

Heads Will Roll

2025-11-13T11:51:00.002+00:00

By Josh Winning

Review

When sitcom star Willow posts something on the internet that she shouldn't have, she finds herself cancelled. With her career down the pan she heads off to a remote retreat in the woods, Camp Castaway, to find perspective and escape from the world.

On the first night Willow and the other guests gather around a campfire and begin telling ghost stories. One story in particular resonates — a beheaded witch named Knock Knock Nancy whose spirit is reputed to roam the woods at night knocking on doors. If you answer, she'll cut off your head.

The next day one of them is missing. That same evening Willow hears KNOCK KNOCK KNOCK on her door. . .

Well, this book was a blast! It definitely has a 1980s teen slasher movie vibe and transported me back to my youth. It started off quite slowly; setting the scene at the retreat and introducing the various characters. I thought the first part dragged slightly and I became impatient waiting for the action to begin. But the waiting paid off and the remainder of the book was great. Heads certainly did roll! It was a fab urban legend horror story with plenty of suspense and tension.

★★★★☆

Paperback: 368 pages
Publisher: Penguin
Publication Year: 2024
Author: Josh Winning
Genre: Horror

Synopsis

Cancelled after a drunken, ill-advised post, TV-star Willow McKenzie is sent to Camp Castaway – a retreat in the woods where you hide from your mistakes.

Spoiler #1: there’s nowhere to hide.

That first night, fellow campers gather round a fire, telling ghost stories. And Willow hears the tale of Knock-Knock Nancy – a beheaded local woman whose spirit still roams the woods.

Spoiler #2: she takes her victim’s heads.

Willow doesn’t believe in ghosts – until next day, a camper vanishes. And, that evening, Willow hears it:

Knock. Knock. Knock.

Spoiler #3: It’s already too late . . .

The Christmas Tree Killer

2025-11-06T11:45:00.000+00:00

By Chris Frost

Review

A 2025 Top Rated Read

When a hiker finds a wrapped Christmas present in the snow containing a severed human foot, it's the start of a new investigation for DI Tom Stonem. When more presents are discovered with their contents just as gruesome, Tom must act quickly to find the person responsible. Is someone playing a sick game and if so, why?

Having read and enjoyed the fantastic first book in the series, The Killer's Christmas List, I was really looking forward to this second one. The story is extremely chilling with limbs being hacked off, wrapped and sent as 'gifts' but I loved it. I thought the concept was original and gripping. I've become invested in the main characters and hope the series will continue so I can follow their development further. Once again the fast-paced plot was brilliantly executed and kept me guessing until the end. The twists and turns were awesome. I can't wait for book three!

★★★★★

Paperback: 320 pages
Publisher: HarperNorth
Publication Year: 2025
Author: Chris Frost
Genre: Crime

Synopsis

In the dead of winter, the Pennine Way is treacherous. As snowstorms hit, hikers have been told to stay away. But not everyone has heeded the warning: a lone walker finds a parcel in the snow, addressed to her. But there’s no festive treat inside. Instead? A severed limb.

DI Tom Stonem is called in to investigate as more gruesome packages appear under the trees. Each is wrapped like a Christmas present, with tags addressed to local residents. Are the intended recipients of these sinister gifts involved in the bloodshed? Or victims of a killer’s cruel game?

As Stonem unwraps the case, the secrets of the forest get ever darker. As December ticks down, it looks like this Christmas, murder is the gift that keeps on giving…

The Doll's House

2025-10-24T11:30:00.000+01:00

By M. J. Arlidge

Review

In the third book of the series, Detective Inspector Helen Grace investigates the murder of a young woman discovered buried on a beach. She'd been there for some time yet her estranged family hadn't reported her missing — she'd been sending text messages so they'd assumed she was okay. When another young woman goes missing, Helen knows her life is hanging by a thread. Can she be found before time runs out? Helen must use all her skills to carefully outwit a murderous predator.

I'm really enjoying this series. So far the first three books have all been thrilling and very well-plotted. The characters are fully developed and could quite easily be real people. The suspense and tension intensifies as the captive young woman's situation becomes increasingly precarious. I wouldn't exactly describe the book as 'action-packed' — it's more of a slow burner — but the psychological aspects are excellent. I'm now looking forward to reading book four.

★★★★☆

Paperback: 448 pages
Publisher: Penguin
Publication Year: 2015
Author: M. J. Arlidge
Genre: Crime

Synopsis

A young woman wakes up in a cold, dark cellar, with no idea how she got there or who her kidnapper is. So begins her terrible nightmare.

Nearby, the body of another young woman is discovered buried on a remote beach. But the dead girl was never reported missing - her estranged family having received regular texts from her over the years. Someone has been keeping her alive from beyond the grave.

For Detective Inspector Helen Grace it's chilling evidence that she's searching for a monster who is not just twisted but also clever and resourceful - a predator who's killed before.

And as Helen struggles to understand the killer's motivation, she begins to realize that she's in a desperate race against time . . .

No Safe Place to Hide

2025-10-14T06:16:00.000+01:00

By Murray Bailey

⭐Blog Tour⭐

Review

A 2025 Top Rated Read

Once again I'm delighted to be on author Murray Bailey's blog tour. His new book, No Safe Place to Hide, is published on 16th October 2025. My thoughts are below:

It's January 1954 and Ash Carter is in the Philippines during a time of political unrest. He's surprised to discover his old friend and ex-military colleague, Bill Wolfe, living in Manila. But it seems Wolfe has fallen on hard times and the bar he owns is on the verge of closure.

Whilst trying to help Wolfe get back on his feet, Carter is asked to investigate the disappearance of a journalist in mysterious circumstances. It soon becomes apparent he was working on a big story which may have upset some very dangerous people. Once again, Carter is plunged into political intrigue which puts his life at risk.

Having read several Ash Carter books set in various locations, No Safe Place to Hide is the first to be based in the Philippines. I thought it was an excellent read with plenty of twists and turns that kept me fully engaged. Carter's investigative skills are founded on legwork and an unwavering commitment to justice. His tactics aren't always by the book but he gets results. This time bribery and corruption are at the forefront of the fast-paced plot. It was a great read with characters that stay with you long after the book is finished. I really enjoyed it.

★★★★★

Paperback: 338 pages
Publisher: Heritage Books
Publication Year: 2025
Author: Murray Bailey
Genre: Crime, Thriller, Historical Fiction, War & Military

Synopsis

Journalist Martin Gillie has vanished, and his wife wants him found. It seems like a straightforward case for newly arrived Ash Carter. But in post-war Philippines, nothing is ever straightforward.

Carter follows a trail that leads from the smoky boxing rings of Manila to the rebel-haunted provinces. And as Carter digs, with each uncovered clue, the stakes rise higher. The police can't be trusted. The military has its own agenda.

Is Martin Gillie hiding from something — or someone? And if Carter finds him, will either of them live to tell the story?

Dead of Winter

2025-10-01T13:06:00.001+01:00

By Keri Beevis

Review

When Lola discovers she has a brother she never knew existed, she's keen to meet him. Travelling to his secluded home, Midwinter Manor, in the Norfolk countryside a few days before Christmas, she receives an unwelcoming reception. As the weather worsens and a blizzard hits, the realisation of being of stranded overnight at the manor without electricity or a mobile phone signal is just the start of Lola's troubles.

I really enjoyed Dead of Winter. I found the wintery setting very atmospheric and unsettling. Lola is trapped at Midwinter Manor with no means of contacting anyone for help. The situation quickly spirals out of control as she realises she's in grave danger. It would seem the manor's occupants are all hiding secrets and will stop at nothing to keep it that way. Another excellent book from author Keri Beevis.

★★★★☆

Paperback: 328 pages
Publisher: Boldwood Books
Publication Year: 2025
Author: Keri Beevis
Genre: Psychological Thriller

Synopsis

A sister looking for answers.
A brother with secrets to hide...

Three days before Christmas, I travel to Midwinter Manor in Norfolk through a worsening snowstorm to meet Daniel, the brother I never knew existed. He has reluctantly granted me an hour of his precious time.

The welcome I receive is frosty. Daniel is cold, intimidating and unfriendly, while his wife, Rose, is polite, but tense. From the moment I step through the door of this imposing manor house, I sense I’m not welcome.

When I go to leave, the snowy blizzard prevents me. Then there’s a power cut and I can’t let anyone know where I am. I realise I am trapped.

Something feels wrong in this house. The way Daniel and Rose speak in whispers behind closed doors suggests something’s amiss. As cracks start to form in their stories, I wonder what it is they are hiding.

Midwinter Manor is a house full of secrets, and some of them are deadly.

The Last Witch

2025-08-28T14:37:00.000+01:00

By C. J. Cooke

Review

In the year 1485, Helena Scheuberin is accused of killing her lover by means of witchcraft. She's imprisoned and awaits trial. Crammed into a cell with six other women who also stand accused of witchcraft, conditions are squalid. With little food and rats scurrying around, the women's mental and physical wellbeing quickly deteriorates as the desperation of their situation sets in. With their last hope pinned on an artifact smuggled into prison, the women use it to summon a malevolent goddess, Hecate. But in return for their freedom Hecate demands they pay a terrible price.

Inspired by real events, The Last Witch is another good read from author C. J. Cooke. I think she captured this period in history vividly. Although there was little evidence against the accused, it didn't seem to matter. They suffered near-starvation and torture before their trials had even begun. Yes, parts of the book make you wince but despite the cruelty inflicted upon her, Helena always maintained her innocence and stood her ground. It's a poignant story of tragedy, injustice, resilience and rebirth.

★★★★☆

Hardcover: 384 pages
Publisher: HarperCollins
Publication Year: 2025
Author: C. J. Cooke
Genre: Horror

Synopsis

Innsbruck 1485

Helena should be doing what every other wealthy young wife is doing: keeping her husband’s house, bearing his children. But when their footman is found dead, Helena is accused of killing him. Worse, she is accused of being a witch.

Imprisoned with six other women, Helena is plunged into a world of terror. When a cursed witch totem is smuggled into the prison, the prisoners attempt to use it to escape only to unleash a malevolent spirit which places all their lives in danger.

Does Helena risk her life and the lives of others by standing up to the terrifying witchfinder and risk death at the stake if found guilty? Or is the real threat the world beyond this one…?

Silver

2025-08-21T13:19:00.002+01:00

By Chris Hammer

Review

When Martin Scarsden returns to his home town of Port Silver with partner Mandy, tragedy soon strikes. His childhood friend, Jasper, is found murdered and Mandy is the prime suspect. Martin desperately tries to clear her name by searching for the real killer. But who could possibly have wanted Jasper dead. . . and why?

With Scrublands having been an excellent first book in this series, I was keen to continue with Silver. However, I found it a much slower-paced read with lots of insight into Martin's formative years. Whilst it was interesting up to a point, I thought it was a little too drawn-out. As with Scrublands characterisation was excellent. The sense of community and ties that bind were at the forefront. You do need to keep your wits about you though as there are many tangents within the story but sadly didn't grab me as much as Scrublands did.

★★★☆☆

Paperback: 512 pages
Publisher: Wildfire
Publication Year: 2019
Author: Chris Hammer
Genre: Crime

Synopsis

A HOMECOMING MARRED BY BLOOD
Journalist Martin Scarsden returns to Port Silver to make a fresh start with his partner Mandy. But he arrives to find his childhood friend murdered - and Mandy is the prime suspect. Desperate to clear her name, Martin goes searching for the truth.

A TERRIBLE CRIME
The media descends on Port Silver, compelled by a story that has it all: sex, drugs, celebrity, and religion. Martin is chasing the biggest scoop of his career, and the most personal.

A PAST HE CAN'T ESCAPE
As Martin draws closer to a killer, the secrets of his traumatic childhood come to the surface, and he must decide what is more important - the story or his family...

Safe With Me

2025-08-05T12:55:00.000+01:00

By K.L. Slater

Review

Socially awkward Anna witnesses a road accident between a motorbike and car. Recognising the car driver as Carla — the woman who turned her world upside down many years ago — Anna seizes the opportunity for revenge; befriending the man injured in the crash. She secretly watches Carla from a safe distance. But is Carla really as dangerous as Anna believes or should she be focusing on someone closer to home?

Safe With Me is the author's debut novel and whilst it was an enjoyable read, I found the protagonist Anna difficult to connect with. Her actions and thought processes were quite bizarre. I suppose some readers would enjoy her quirkiness but I found her annoying. The story was good but dragged a little in places. And 'that smell' — what was that all about?!!

★★★☆☆

Paperback: 374 pages
Publisher: Bookoutre
Publication Year: 2016
Author: K.L. Slater
Genre: Psychological Thriller

Synopsis

Thirteen years ago someone did something very bad to Anna. Now it’s her turn to get even …

Anna lives a solitary existence, taking solace in order and routine. Her only friend is the lonely old lady next door. She doesn’t like to let people to get too close – she knows how much damage they can do.

Then one ordinary day Anna witnesses a devastating road accident and recognises the driver as Carla, the woman who ruined her life all those years ago. Now it’s Anna’s chance to set things straight but her revenge needs to be executed carefully …

First she needs to get to know Liam, the man injured in the accident. She needs to follow the police investigation. She needs to watch Carla from the shadows…

But as Anna’s obsession with Carla escalates, her own secrets start to unravel. Is Carla really dangerous or does Anna need to worry about someone far closer to home?

The Breakdown

2025-07-17T12:17:00.000+01:00

By B A Paris

Review

Whilst driving home late at night during a fierce storm, Cass Anderson decides to take a short cut through the woods. It's a decision she'll live to regret. With darkness and pouring rain impairing visibility, she spots a car pulled up at the roadside. Has the driver broken down and in need of help? Cass comes to a halt a short distance in front and waits for the driver to exit or flash their lights. But nothing happens. The driver stays where they are. Cass assumes help must already be on the way so she continues her journey home.

The next day Cass hears that a body has been found inside a car in the woods and the police are treating it as murder. Too afraid to own up to being at the scene, Cass keeps quiet. Then the silent phone calls and disturbing incidents begin. She's terrified the killer knows her identity and is coming for her.

This book is a twisty psychological thriller. You're never quite sure what direction it's going to take or who is working behind the scenes to facilitate Cass' downfall. It makes you feel unsettled and anxious. As the strange incidents increase, the tension intensifies. The story moves at a good pace and the main characters are fully developed. The domestic setting worked very well — if you can't feel safe in your own home is anywhere safe at all?

★★★★☆

Paperback: 384 pages
Publisher: HQ
Publication Year: 2017
Author: B A Paris
Genre: Psychological Thriller

Synopsis

If you can’t trust yourself, who can you trust?

It all started that night in the woods.

Cass Anderson didn’t stop to help the woman in the car, and now she’s dead.

Ever since, silent calls have been plaguing Cass and she’s sure someone is watching her.

Consumed by guilt, she’s also starting to forget things. Whether she took her pills, what her house alarm code is – and if the knife in the kitchen really had blood on it.

The Heretic Cypher

2025-07-17T07:30:00.002+01:00

By Murray Bailey

☆ Blog Tour ☆

Review

A 2025 Top Rated Read

I'm delighted to be part of the blog tour today for The Heretic Cypher and to share my thoughts on this thrilling read:

Egyptologist Alex MacLure is shocked to discover his friend, Dr Ellen Champion, has been killed in mysterious circumstances. But even more perplexing is the series of cryptic clues she left for him which lead to the location of an ancient artifact. Alex soon realises he's in grave danger — the people who murdered Ellen are hot on his trail and time is running out. Who can he trust and who is working against him?

This is the first book in the Egyptian Stones trilogy and what an excellent, exciting adventure it turned out to be! With my fascination for ancient Egypt and my love of quest novels, I'm definitely the target audience. Author Murray Bailey always writes with flair and aptitude; his characters are fully developed and his locations well-researched. The combination of fact and fiction worked brilliantly. WOWZA, I loved it!

★★★★★

Paperback: 308 pages
Publisher: Heritage Books
Publication Year: 2025
Author: Murray Bailey
Genre: Thriller

Synopsis

When Egyptologist Alex MacLure’s friend and mentor dies he’s stunned to discover she’s left a message — hidden, encoded, and meant only for him.

With a mysterious artifact and a trail of cryptic symbols, Alex is thrust into a deadly race against time. What begins as a quest to finish her research quickly spirals into a chilling conclusion: her death was no accident. She was murdered for what she discovered.

Now he’s the next target.

Hunted by a ruthless adversary, Alex finds himself swept from the academic halls of London to the heart of Egypt’s oldest sites.

As he races to decode a forgotten truth buried beneath centuries of deception, powerful enemies close in — willing to kill to protect a secret — a revelation so explosive, it could rewrite everything we know about ancient Egypt and religion.

The Mercy Chair

2025-06-30T11:37:00.003+01:00

By M. W. Craven

Review

A 2025 Top Rated Read

When a man is found tied to a tree and stoned to death, Detective Sergeant Washington Poe and civilian analyst Tilly Bradshaw investigate. They discover the victim was the founding member of a shady religious organisation called the Children of Job. The case soon has them delving into the group's darker side and what they uncover has little to do with religion but more about abuse and torture.

The Mercy Chair is the sixth book in this fantastic series. The plots are always original and the characters make such an impact that they become part of your life. Poe and Tilly are wonderful together; their banter never fails to raise a smile and I love Tilly's social awkwardness and naivety despite being an academic genius. Their friendship, mutual respect and kindness towards each other is the foundation of their successful working relationship.

The Mercy Chair is dark and multi-layered with plenty of tension and suspense. It begins with Poe's visit to a trauma therapist for his sleeping difficulties and nightmares. It's through these sessions that the story unfolds. It took a direction I didn't see coming and was brilliant.

★★★★★

Paperback: 432 pages
Publisher: Constable
Publication Year: 2024
Author: M. W. Craven
Genre: Crime, Thriller

Synopsis

Are you sitting comfortably? Then I'll begin . . .

Washington Poe has a story to tell.

And he needs you to listen.

You'll hear how it started with the robber birds. Crows. Dozens of them. Enough for a murder . . .

He'll tell you about a man who was tied to a tree and stoned to death, a man who had tattooed himself with a code so obscure, even the gifted analyst Tilly Bradshaw struggled to break it. He'll tell you how the man's murder was connected to a tragedy that happened fifteen years earlier when a young girl massacred her entire family.

And finally, he'll tell you about the mercy chair. And why people would rather kill themselves than talk about it . . .

Poe hopes you've been paying attention. Because in this story, nothing is as it seems . . .

The Bay

2025-05-28T12:46:00.002+01:00

By Allie Reynolds

Review

When Kenna arrives in Australia to surprise best friend Mikki, she's stunned to discover Mikki's about to marry Jack, a man she's only just met. With Mikki and Jack heading off on a surfing trip, Kenna decides to tag along rather than spend her holiday in Sydney alone. The spot they plan to surf, Sorrow Bay, is so remote hardly anyone knows about it. The waves are huge and at first it seems idyllic but after meeting Mikki's surfer pals, doubts begin to surface in Kenna's mind. They all have secrets to hide and Kenna senses something's terribly wrong with the group. Can she persuade Mikki to return home to the UK or is she too deeply involved with these people to pull free? The situation is about to turn deadly.

Having loved author Allie Reynolds' debut novel Shiver, I knew The Bay would be a blast. . . and I wasn't disappointed. The descriptions of Sorrow Bay and its remoteness were fantastically atmospheric and added to the sense of helplessness and desperation as Kenna's plight worsened. It was an unsettling read and you were never sure who could or couldn't be trusted. Yes, it had similar vibes to Alex Garland's The Beach but it also stood up on its own merit and was a thrilling page-turner.

★★★★☆

Paperback: 416 pages
Publisher: Headline
Publication Year: 2022
Author: Allie Reynolds
Genre: Psychological Thriller

Synopsis

The waves are to die for. It's a paradise they'd kill to keep.

There's a darkness inside all of us and The Bay has a way of bringing it out. Everyone here has their secrets but we don't go looking for them. Because sometimes it's better not to know.

Kenna arrives in Sydney to surprise her best friend, shocked to hear she's going to marry a guy she's only just met. But Mikki and her fiancé Jack are about to head away on a trip, so Kenna finds herself tagging along for the ride.

Sorrow Bay is beautiful, wild and dangerous. A remote surfing spot with waves to die for, cut off from the rest of the world. Here Kenna meets the mysterious group of people who will do anything to keep their paradise a secret. Sky, Ryan, Clemente and Victor have come to ride the waves and disappear from life. How will they feel about Kenna turning up unannounced?

As Kenna gets drawn into their world, she sees the extremes they are prepared to go to for the next thrill. And everyone seems to be hiding something. What has her best friend got involved in and how can she get her away? But one thing is rapidly becoming clear about The Bay: nobody ever leaves.

Crippen

2025-05-27T13:25:00.002+01:00

By John Boyne

Review

A 2025 Top Rated Read

London 1910. Music hall singer Cora Crippen's dismembered body is discovered buried beneath the cellar floor of the home she shared with her husband, Dr Hawley Crippen. The marriage was an unhappy one with Cora physically and emotionally abusive to her spouse. Seemingly a broken man, Hawley Crippen seeks comfort with mistress Ethel Le Neve. As Scotland Yard begin an investigation into Cora's gruesome murder, Hawley and Ethel vanish. The police believe Hawley guilty of the heinous crime but can they catch him before he escapes the net?

I love John Boyne's writing and how he combines historical fact with fiction to give a new perspective on events. His characters are memorable and his storytelling unparalleled. Gently paced, this novel is an incredible read. Real people from the notorious case of Dr Crippen are skilfully and vividly brought to life. It's a thoroughly immersive and absorbing read. I highly recommend it.

★★★★★

Paperback: 512 pages

Publisher: Black Swan

Publication Year: 2004
Author: John Boyne

Genre: Historical Fiction, Literary Fiction

Synopsis

July 1910: The grisly remains of Cora Crippen, music hall singer and wife of Dr Hawley Crippen, are discovered in the cellar of 39 Hilldrop Crescent, Camden. But the Doctor and his mistress, Ethel Le Neve, have vanished, much to the frustration of Scotland Yard and the outrage of a horrified London.

Across the Channel in Antwerp, the SS Montrose sets sail on its two week voyage to Canada. Amongst its passengers are the overbearing Antonia Drake and her daughter Victoria, who is hell-bent on romance, the enigmatic Mathieu Zela and the modest Martha Hayes. Also on board are the unassuming Mr John Robinson and his seventeen-year-old son Edmund. But all is not as it seems...