Even the experienced DCI Robin Lyons is shocked when she’s called to a murder scene: a young woman found with her throat cleanly cut and no forensic traces left behind. The victim, Heather Pethick,…

I’m thrilled to welcome Paul Linggood to What Cathy Read Next today to talk about his novel The Boy on the Sofa which was published by Broadwater Books on 25th September 2026. The Boy on the …

I always look forward to reading a book in Doug Johnstone’s Skelfs series. Ghost Notes is the seventh in the series and I feel I’ve got to know the Skelf women pretty well by now. That …

Mickey Barnes is an expendable.  His job is to take on the tasks that would usually be considered too dangerous for humans with a high chance of death. Need someone to go into an area of high radia…

About The Book 1926. Diana Gold, owner and impresario, throws open the doors to the most opulent new hotel in London. As the champagne flows and the chandeliers shimmer, millionaires and gamblers r…

About The Book MARGARET THINKS HER TIME IS UP… BUT MAYBE HER TIME IS NOW?  Things have been hard since her husband Derek died, and they never really got over the disappearance of their daughte…

An Unlikely Visitor by Joanna Cannon published June 4th with The Borough Press and is described as 'funny and poignant'.

Today I’m delighted to feature crime author Frances Crawford whose novel A Bad, Bad Place is lauded as a crime debut of the year having won the McDermid Debut Award at this year’s Theak…

Author : Lisa GardnerTitle : You’ll Be SorryPages : 370Publisher : CenturyPublication date : 13th August, 2026Source : Bought my own copy Perched on a ledge with stunning views, the Dixon’s f…

Kate Atkinson is a favourite author of mine and I’ve really enjoyed both her Jackson Brodie series and her standalone novels. Our Noble Selves is historical fiction set around the time of The…

Catherine Simpson’s latest memoir is simply outstanding. Sandwiched: Caring Up and Caring Down is about the time she spent caring for her very elderly father, trying to help him remain in his…

There are few things as exciting as a new instalment in the absolutely brilliant Washington Poe series and The Killer’s Mark did not disappoint.     As I’ve said previously, you coul…

The Newer World by Sebastian Barry is described as 'an immersive & unforgettable novel' set 'in the aftermath of the American Civil War'

Every Buried Secret by A.M. Fadden (September 2026) is described as 'a dark and compelling police procedural'

Everything Was Beautiful and Nothing Hurt by Ben Reeves was the latest pick for my book group. It is always so interesting to hear other people’s reactions to a book and see how much they dif…

About The Book My name is Emma Cartwright. Three years ago I was Susan Webster, and I murdered my twelve-week-old son. I have no memory of what happened but you believe what your loved ones, your d…

I had such fun reading Kiss Me Like You Mean It! I loved both Laura Wood’s previous novels for adults (Under Your Spell and Let’s Make a Scene) so this book had a lot to live up to, but…

About The Book A MONSTER. A MOTHER. A MURDER? When Vice Admiral Boyer, RN (retd) died without leaving a will, his estranged daughter inherited his – not inconsiderable – estate. Called …

Happy, thank you. More, please. by Kyla Cobbler (September, 2026) is described as a memoir written 'with raw honesty and grit'.

About the Book 1604. As pirates seeking slaves to sell in the markets of North Africa terrorise the coasts of Europe, headstrong Richard Sheriff and his sister Elizabeth are torn from their Devonsh…

Matt Coyne has done it again! I adored his debut novel Frank and Red (find out why here) and I adored The Trouble With Sister Francis too. I’m very grateful to publishers Wildfire for my digi…

Author : Jo FurnissTitle : Killer TwistPages : 380Publisher : Zaffre UKPublication date : 27th August, 2026Source : Digital Review Copy Crime writer Aggie Catchlove can never forget how celebrity a…

About The Book You don’t fall in love in Cyprus in the summer of 1974. Not here, not now. In 1974, two teenagers, from opposite sides of a divided Cyprus, meet at a tavern in the city th…

Clara and Christina by Andrew Cunning published July 30th with John Murray and is a spectacular debut written with skill and empathy.

Said the Dead by Doireann Ní Ghríofa( May 2026) is an extraordinary, affecting and extremely disconcerting read. Absolutely exceptional.

I have read all of Rebecca Ryan’s previous novels and think that The Edge of Always may be her most moving book yet. I’m pleased to share my review as part of the Random Things tour tod…

Author : Matt CoyneTitle : The Trouble With Sister FrancisPages : 420Publisher : Wildfire / HeadlinePublication date : 27th August, 2026Source : Digital review copy, also on preorder Sister Francis…

What the Ocean Keeps is Laura Wilkinson’s first foray into historical fiction, having previously written several contemporary fiction novels. I have read a few of those and particularly enjoy…

Our London Lives by Christine Dwyer Hickey published in 2024 with Atlantic Books and is described as 'dark and brave'

I’m delighted to wish Laura Wilkinson ‘Happy Publication Day’ on the launch of her latest novel What the Ocean Keeps. I loved Laura’s last novel and was more than happy to r…

A Fatal Love by Louisa Treger (August 2026) is described as 'a gripping and compassionate novel' reimagining the life of Ruth Ellis

Author : Jess KiddTitle : Little SparkPages : 290Publisher : CanongatePublication date : 13th August, 2026Source : Digital Review Copy A secret cannot stay locked away forever.Bodkin Bell, orphan, …

I’ve enjoyed several of Anthony Horowitz’s novels, and while I prefer his Detective Hawthorne series, I’ve been looking forward to Marble Hall Murders – what is probably the final novel in the Susa…

Sarah Morgan’s latest summer novel, Brave New Summer, whisks us away to a hotel overlooking the sea in beautiful Cornwall. Evie is the acting general manager but finds it difficult to command…

About The Book Even good people do bad things… Once hailed as Liverpool’s finest detective, Mark Fletcher brought a serial killer to justice and earned the city’s admiration. But when he’s ac…

Apeirogon by Colum McCann is an extraordinarily powerful and evocative story described as a 'hybrid novel with invention at its core'.

My favourite time-travelling library is back with another adventure! Okay, so Shona McMonagle may be the only time-travelling librarian in fiction (unless you know otherwise) but you get the idea! …

The City in Year Zero by Michael Russell (March 2026) is the tenth and final instalment in the very atmospheric Stefan Gillespie series

About The Book A community in shock.When eighteen-year-old Rosie Anderson disappears, the idyllic village where she lived will never be the same again. Local gardener Kate is struck with guilt. She…

First of all, how gorgeous is that cover? It’s such an evocative image of Paris with that iconic view of the Eiffel Tower. I hadn’t read anything by Kristin Harmel before and I understa…

The Life Swap is the gorgeous and heartwarming debut about the dynamic between two sisters by Jeananne Craig (July 2026)

We Search the Island for Grace by Bonnie Burke-Patel will be published on 30th July by Bedford Square Publishers. My thanks to Emma Dowson from EDPR for the proof copy. They gather at Saints’ Climb…

I really enjoyed Libby Page’s first two novels, The Lido and The 24-Hour Café, but then seem to have missed everything else that she’s written – something that I need to rectify as I love Page’s wr…

Today I am sharing my thoughts on the latest book in the Ben Kitto series from Kate Rhodes, The Mermaid’s Cry. I love this series and am ever thankful to publisher Orenda Books for the advanc…

Having loved Tessa Bickers debut novel The Book Swap, I was very pleased to receive a copy of her latest novel The Night Bus which was published in May. Thanks to publishers Quercus for sending a c…

In The Killer's Sight by Mike Omer (Kate Marino Book 1) is an addictive read, a thoroughly enjoyable thriller.