Dead Souls – Angela Marsons

When a collection of human bones is unearthed during a routine archaeological dig, a Black Country field suddenly becomes a complex crime scene for Detective Kim Stone.

As the bones are sorted, it becomes clear that the grave contains more than one victim. The bodies hint at unimaginable horror, bearing the markings of bullet holes and animal traps.

Forced to work alongside Detective Travis, with whom she shares a troubled past, Kim begins to uncover a dark secretive relationship between the families who own the land in which the bodies were found.

But while Kim is immersed in one of the most complicated investigations she’s ever led, her team are caught up in a spate of sickening hate crimes. Kim is close to revealing the truth behind the murders, yet soon finds one of her own is in jeopardy – and the clock is ticking. Can she solve the case and save them from grave danger – before it’s too late?

An addictive, sinister crime thriller that will have readers on the edge of their seat.

My thanks to Bookouture for the review copy I received through Netgalley

It is almost five years since Dead Souls released. I have been meaning to read and review this book for a long old time but *somehow* five years slipped by and the book remained on my kindle calling to me. Obviously the series has moved on somewhat since this sixth book was released so I am behind. This is excellent news for me though, it means there are lots more Kim Stone books to look forward to and there are fewer bloggers posting spoilers on the next title in the series as they post cryptic reactions to the latest Kim Stone cliffhangers 🙂

Although Bloggers do try to share reviews of new and upcoming books, good books never get old and an unread book will always be new to someone. Dead Souls is a great book and well worth the wait I put myself through to return to a favourite series.

Stone is reunited with her former partner. The two fell out some years before and relations remained tense ever since. They had worked for two different forces but now a body has been found in a field which sits on the boundary between the two different authorities and the pair will be brought together. It’s going to be a distraction from the investigation which is managing to grow arms and legs of it’s own (literally) as the body in the grave has more limbs than a body should – a mass grave? Multiple victims?

The centre of focus for Stone must be the two families that share the land. It’s an odd relationship as the landowners are allowing a second family to live on their land seemingly free of charge…what could have occured in the past for such a generous offer to be made?

Meanwhile Kim’s colleagues are stepping up to cover the other cases which Stone cannot assist with. There are a series of racially motivated attacks taking place and investigations suggest there may be links between the crimes. This is a difficult read as there are BNP and white supremacist characters who do not bring joy or entertainment to my reading. Their hatred is toxic but the police have to deal with the abuse and the anger of their suspects as they try to extract information through calm and patient questionning.

Angela Marsons does a great job of balancing the toxic elements of her supporting cast with a thoughtful and pertinant response. It gives this novel a much more gritty feel and you really want to see the bad guys get their comeuppance. Shocks in store on that front!

A great series and Dead Souls was a delight to return to after my extended hiatus.

Dead Souls is published by Bookouture and is available to order here: https://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/B06XFZYNM1/ref=dbs_a_def_rwt_bibl_vppi_i10

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January 19

Football She Wrote: An Anthology of Women’s Writing on the Game

From the doyenne of football writing Julie Welch’s brilliantly illuminating story of the first women’s international match after a 50-year ban to the madcap tale of two black radio rookies in China… From the trials of covering the soap opera that is Newcastle United to the glamour of establishing Real Madrid TV… From the making of the magnificent Emma Hayes to the equally amazing Mums United FC… FOOTBALL, SHE WROTE is a first: a unique collection of 20 women’s voices on the game they love. Penned by a group of experienced and new writers, and embracing memoirs, profiles, interviews and talking points taking in sexuality, diversity and inclusion, it is an anthology to make you think and feel, laugh and cry.

Contributors: Kehinde Adeogun, Isabelle Barker, Kate Battersby, Alison Bender, Jade Craddock, Hayley Davinson, Molly Hudson, Tracy Light, Renuka Odedra, Fadumo Olow, Katie Mishner, Christina Philippou, Jane Purdon, Ali Rampling, Louise Taylor, Julie Welch, Julia West, Cassie Whittell, Katie Whyatt and Suzanne Wrack.

My thanks to Anne Cater of Random Things Blog Tours for the opportunity to join this tour. I recieved a review copy of Football She Wrote from the publishers.

A football book? The last time I considered reviewing a football book was before the 2016 European Championships. I bought a book about the tournament and thought it may be fun to review it ahead of the competition starting. Half an hour later it was in the recycling and I had left a 1 star explaining why the authors were racist. So it’s not a high bar for Football She Wrote to improve upon!

Fortunately this anthology of articles and stories, all written by women, is both informative and heartwarming.

The book opens with a couple of stories covering the history of women’s football, the struggles for recognition and being taken seriously. The slow emergence of structure and competition and then the prolonged period where it wasn’t permitted. It gives a good background and allows better understanding of the hurdles which would lie ahead – often touched upon in subsequent chapters.

The stories (very) broadly fall into categories: the history, important figures either in the life of the contributor or an important figure in women’s football and then stories about how a contributors became involved in the sport (not necessarily as a player). The stories about how the writers became involved in their favourite sport were very much my favourites.

A couple of highlights; twin sisters travelling to China for the World Cup and offering to be media reporters (with no prior experience). Cassie Whittell’s “Anfield of Dreams” charts her early interest in football, brushes with playing, starting to visit stadiums and the full journey to acceptance within the sport – this one one is worth the cover price!

I wasn’t so fond of stories about individuals. As inspirational and determined as these people have been, I prefer the bigger picture tales.

There are no obvious affiliations with a club or country which I very much appreciated. Too many sport collections dwell on single players or clubs and this puts off readers who root for the underdogs. It’s a nicely balanced collection of articles.

With the average contribution length being around a dozen pages long this is a book you can pick up, set down and revisit at any time. It never felt too heavy or bogged down in detail and the overwhelming feeling was these are writers discussing something they love.

If you’re a football fan and want to hear something a bit different about the players and clubs then you can’t go wrong with Football She Wrote.

Football She Wrote is available in paperback and digital format and you can order a copy here: https://www.amazon.co.uk/Football-She-Wrote-Anthology-Writing/dp/1838030026/ref=sr_1_1?crid=32K2T0PTRN7YO&keywords=football+she+wrote&qid=1642547174&s=books&sprefix=football+she+wrot%2Cstripbooks%2C118&sr=1-1

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January 14

Decades: Compiling the Ultimate Library with Steve Cavanagh

It was around this time last year the Decades Library was first imagined. You’ve likely heard this before but to welcome new visitors I will explain my Decades Challenge and the ultimate goal.

Something happened which made me ponder the question: Where would you begin if you were asked to assemble a library but had to start with nothing but empty shelves. You have no books. None. Not one. Which books would you add to the library shelves to make sure readers would have nothing but the very best books to choose from?

I quickly realised that I could not possibly answer this question alone so I decided I would ask some guests to help me. Each week I am joined by a booklover (authors, bloggers, publishers and journalists have all lent their time to assist) and I ask them to nomimate some “unmissable” books. To make their selection process slightly more complicated I set two rules which each guest must follow:

1 – Choose Any Five Books
2 – You May Only Select One Book Per Decade From Five Consecutive Decades

And that’s the Decades Challenge. Selecting five favourite books. If you think it’s easy then try to narrow down your own five choices.

All that remains now is for me to pass the Curator’s Hat to my guest. It’s my absolute delight to welcome Steve Cavanagh to the Library.

Steve Cavanagh is a critically acclaimed, Sunday Times best-selling author of the Eddie Flynn series. All of his novels have been nominated for major awards. His third novel, The Liar, won the CWA Gold Dagger for Crime Novel of the year 2018. Thirteen won the Theakstons Old Peculier Crime novel of the year 2019. The Eddie Flynn novels have been translated into 26 languages. His latest book is The Devil’s Advocate.

You can order any of Steve’s books here: https://www.amazon.co.uk/Steve-Cavanagh/e/B00OAGCA62?ref=sr_ntt_srch_lnk_1&qid=1642111903&sr=8-1

DECADES

The Real Cool Killers by Chester Himes (1950)

Chester Himes had an extraordinary life of hardship and adversity. I can think of few writers who experienced half of what he had to endure. I am a huge fan of Raymond Chandler, but I think enough people will have read and marveled at Chandler already, and not nearly enough people have read Chester Himes. On his best day, Himes can make words dance. He is one of the very few writers that can turn prose into music. This novel is the second outing in the Coffin Ed and Grave Digger Jones detective series. By all means start with A Rage in Harlem, but I think some of the best prose work is in this one.

The Chill by Ross MacDonald (1964)

Ross MacDonald had his own personal troubles. He poured his heart and his empathy for his fellow human beings into his work, and specifically, his fictional hero PI Lew Archer. Writing a long-running detective series is an incredibly difficult undertaking. I remember Dennis Lehane remarking that writing a series can yield diminishing returns when it comes to the quality of each book, “how many people say the twelfth book in a series is their favourite?” This is a fair point, but some writers beat those odds. The Chill is the eleventh Lew Archer novel, and many people say it’s the best.

Ripley’s Game by Patricia Highsmith (1974)

Few authors have had such an impact on the genre as Patricia Highsmith. She was perhaps one of the finest proponents of the psychological thriller. In Strangers On A Train, she used a high concept hook as the engine for the novel and wrote many more standalones. She also wrote a brilliant short series about the killer and conman Tom Ripley. In Ripley’s game, she combines the two elements of her craft. What if you had a terminal illness? What if someone, perhaps with dark motives, came to you and offered a vast sum of money if you killed someone? You family will need that money when you’re gone. What if what began as a psychological game turned into something much more terrifying? A brilliant book, and one that I return to again and again.

The Silence of the Lambs by Thomas Harris (1988)

There’s not much to say about this one other than it’s the book that made me love crime and thrillers. I’d read Sherlock Holmes, and detective comics, but it wasn’t until I was around twelve or thirteen that I read this one. My mum gave it to me. I know some people think Red Dragon is a better thriller, but for me Clarice Starling is an equally brilliant creation as Hannibal. This is the book that started it all for me. If you’ve just seen the movie, then do yourself a favour and read the book.

Bridget Jones’s Diary by Helen Fielding (1996)

Because life isn’t all detectives and murders, it’s good to have an injection of humour now and again. I think this is one of the great comic novels. Maybe the last great one. It is so brilliantly well written, laugh-out-loud funny and touching and made all the more real by the style and structure. Again, if you’ve only seen the movie – please read the book.

It’s hard to believe it has taken twelve months of Decades selections for Patricia Highsmith make her debut. Five terrific reads and this is what I consider the “perfect” mix of titles – some books I know and love but there are also a couple of new recommendations which I immediately felt I needed to read. A weekly assult on my TBR! My thanks to Steve for taking on the Decades challenge.

DECADES WILL RETURN

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January 11

The Midnight Man – Caroline Mitchell

‘I remember the day I died quite clearly.’

Blackhall Manor has witnessed many dark crimes, long before five teenage girls break in to play the Midnight Game. It was supposed to be a game, but only four girls come home.

Detective Sarah Noble has just returned to the force, and no one knows more about Blackhall Manor than her. Except perhaps Elliott Carter, who is only seven but has seen things in his dreams most adults could never imagine.

It’s a case that will bring them together and shake Sarah to her core. Will she be ready to meet the Midnight Man?

I received a review copy from the publishers via Netgalley.

A police thriller with a delightfully dark edge.

Sarah Noble is returning to work after a period of extended absence. She doesn’t expect an easy ride, given the circumstances which led to her absence, but Sarah does seem surprised at the animosity her colleagues are showing as she returns to duties with the police. Restricted duties and only core hours each day which is going to be a problem as her team are about to be involved in a troubling case which will stretch them and drain their resources.

The root of their problems lies within Blackhall Manor. The infamous old building (now falling to ruin) where one night, years earier, a father gunned down his wife and two children before turning the gun on himself. The building’s reputation now means it holds a fascination for the local school children. There is a “challenge” game they play where a group of kids will try to stay inside Blackhall Manor from midnight to 3.33am and avoid being found by The Midnight Man. If he should catch you then the understanding is that things won’t end well for the unfortunate player.

As we join the story there is a group of five schoolfriends planning their trip to Blackhall Manor. They have received an invitation to play the game and their nervous excitement is infectious as they consider the implications of playing and how they will ensure their parents don’t find out what their plans are.

The Midnight Man game is a great introduction to the story, particularly as readers have already been inside Blackhall Manor. The first pages of the story takes us back to that fateful night when the murders occurred – it’s a harrowing read as we hear events unfolding through the eyes of one of the children. The noise, the panic, the disbelief and incomprehension thrusts the story right into the face of the reader and it’s a powerful way to grab our attention.

In present day the game goes wrong for one of the players. She becomes seperated from her friends and discovers the game is much more real than they expected. Her friends believe she has chickened out and gone home so it is a shock the following day when news of a missing girl begins to circulate.

For Sarah and her colleagues in the police the missing girl is just the start of their problems. The girl comes from a powerful family within the small community and answers are urgently being demanded. As is the assurance the police will return her home safely. But for Sarah, work problems are just the tip of the iceberg. Someone is watching her, threatening her, taunting her and they seem to know all about Sarah – things nobody really should know. But in a small town can you really keep secrets?

The Midnight Man has a plan and he is playing his game but he also knows of Sarah and his plans may involve her too. Lives will be lost, others destroyed and any fragile trust which exists in the community will soon be shattered.

This is a tension packed read and Caroline Mitchell keeps you hooked. There are lots of great characters who feed into the story and each seem to have their own involvement in Sarah’s case but it’s never quite clear who is just quirky and who may have a hidden agenda. Dark, creepy and nicely paced to keep my attention throughout.

The Midnight Man is published by Embla Books and is available in digital format, audiobook and paperback. You can order a copy here: https://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/B09BVGYMD3/ref=dbs_a_def_rwt_bibl_vppi_i2

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January 4

Demon – Matt Wesolowski

In 1995, the picture-perfect village of Ussalthwaite was the site of one of the most heinous crimes imaginable, in a case that shocked the world.

Twelve-year-old Sidney Parsons was savagely murdered by two boys his own age. No reason was ever given for this terrible crime, and the ‘Demonic Duo’ who killed him were imprisoned until their release in 2002, when they were given new identities and lifetime anonymity.

Elusive online journalist Scott King investigates the lead-up and aftermath of the killing, uncovering dark stories of demonic possession, and encountering a village torn apart by this unspeakable act.

And, as episodes of his Six Stories podcast begin to air, and King himself becomes a target of media scrutiny and the public’s ire, it becomes clear that whatever drove those two boys to kill is still there, lurking, and the campaign of horror has just begun…

My thanks to Karen at Orenda Books for the review copy I received and to Anne Cater of Random Things Blog Tours for the opportunity to join the Demon blog tour.

A new Six Stories book is cause for celebration. Matt Wesolowski’s superb chiller crime tales always skirt the supernatural but leave enough doubt in the reader’s mind that there may be a more “grounded” explanation for creepy incidents which arise in his stories.

A quick recap of the Six Stories format for new visitors. Podcast host Scott King will focus on an event which has a degree of notoriety. Over the course of six podcast episodes he interviews six different people with a connection to the focus of the series. He is not trying to convince his listeners he has “solved” or can explain a mystery, he presents these six stories and leaves listeners to form their own conclusions around what may have happened.

In Demon the subject of the new run of Six Stories is an extremely controversial event: two children murdered a school friend and were convicted for their crime. Both the boys were granted new identities and after a long period of rehabilitation were to be released back into society. It’s a highly emotive story and many feel the two killers should not be returned to society – there is even an online social media threat to leak their new identities and allow “justice” to be done.

Wesolowski tackles this controversial scenario with an astute narrative. Through one of the stories the guest explains how the child rehabilitation process works and how killers could possibly be considered for release. But this is done using the narrative from the story and readers may well find they agree there may be circumstances where young criminals could become mature rehabilitated citizens.

The murder of 12yo Sidney Parsons shocks the small Northern town but the two boys who ended his life had been terrorising the people in the village for weeks. However we learn through Kings podcast that the town has a history of dark incidents and more than one brush with witchcraft down the years.

How much of the events surrounding Sidney’s murder was down to the evil behaviour of two “Demon” children and how much relied upon external factors?

I had thought this story was clear cut but along the way there are revelations which changed my perception of the people involved and by the end of the final story my understanding of the whole episode had radically changed. It’s a terrific example of a slow reveal of information and hiding clues from the reader in plain sight.

I cannot recommend the Six Stories books more highly. Each new instalment has been a delight and Demon makes the series even stronger. Already looking forward to what comes next.

Demon is published by Orenda Books and is available in paperback, digital and audiobook format from all usual providers.

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January 1

The Curious Dispatch of Daniel Costello – Chris McDonald

Wedding bells are chiming in the idyllic, coastal town of Stonebridge. For Sam and Emily, it should be the happiest day of their lives. But, on the morning of the ceremony, the best man is found dead. The police quickly write his death off as a tragic accident, but something doesn’t seem right to wedding guest and groomsman Adam Whyte. Armed with an encyclopaedic, but ultimately ridiculous knowledge of television detective shows and an unwarranted confidence in his own abilities, Adam and his best friend (and willing Watson), Colin, set out to uncover what actually happened to Daniel Costello.

My thanks to Isis Audio for a review copy of the book ahead of today’s Audiobook Publication.

Happy New Year and Happy Audio Publication Day to Chris Mcdonald as the first of his Stonebridge books releases to a new audience as a talking book.

At time of writing there are five Stonebridge books in the series and The Curious Dispatch of Daniel Costello is the first and the first to be released as an audiobook. It’s my introduction to the series too so a perfect time for me to catch up on a series which was catching my eye last year.

This story is described as a modern cosy story and that’s not typically been my normal choice of reading but I read the blurb and it sounded fun. Good news. It WAS fun. Events surround a wedding and the wedding party are all gathered in a large (exclusive) country house hotel.

The title does rather give away who the victim in this murder tale is going to be. But within the first few chapters he stands out as a toxic character and his forthcoming demise doesn’t seem the worst outcome. However the manner of Daniel Costello’s death leads the police to conclude it was an unfortunate accident after too much drink had been consumed.

At this point Adam Whyte intercedes. He has seen far too many crime dramas to dismiss some unexplained details surrounding Daniel’s death. He ropes in his friend Colin to assist as Adam begins his own investigation into the murder(?) which has taken place right under his nose.

This was a delightful way to begin my reading for 2022. Chris Mcdonald keeps readers and listeners hanging onto the story with short and snappy chapters. Adam’s investigating makes for fun listening and although this is quite a short tale it didn’t feel light on details and there are plenty of suspects to challenge the home detectives joining in at home.

As you would expect from an Isis Audiobook, the audio version is a great listen. Narrative responsibility sits with Stephen Armstrong and I very much enjoyed being guided through this story with his voice in my ears.

Great fun and plenty of humour through the story to add to my enjoyment of a clever wee murder mystery.

The Curious Dispatch of Daniel Costello is available as an audiobook and in print and digital format. You can order a copy here: https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/1913331873/ref=cm_sw_r_apan_glt_fabc_B1AVCYY25CHVHJ2ZCNDPhttps://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/1913331873/ref=cm_sw_r_apan_glt_fabc_B1AVCYY25CHVHJ2ZCNDP

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December 23

Cover Reveal: Best Defence – William McIntyre

As the year draws to an end my thoughts turn to the year ahead and the promise of many new books to enjoy. My preference will always be to pick up the latest book in an ongoing series – the opportunity to reunite with familiar characters and to see how their stories continue to develop always holds a greater lure for me (I am invested into so many fictional lives).

One of the first returning characters I will meet in 2022 is Robbie Munro, star of the Best Defence series from William McIntyre. An enticing prospect as Robbie’s legal adventures are always a treat and the author mixes adventure, legal wrangling and lots of wry humour which I always enjoy.

Best Defence is the twelfth book in the series but, having read the earlier titles, I am confident that the new book will be accessbile to new readers without need to pick up any of the previous stories. However, I would highly recommend trying these books for yourself, if you haven’t discovered Robbie Munro yet then you are missing out on a treat.

Before I share the cover for Best Defence I also get to reveal something of what we can expect from the book too:

Honesty is the best policy, but not always the Best DefenceWhen the wife of a soccer superstar is charged with murder, Robbie Munro is instructed for the defence, but his client’s version of events keeps changing as more and more damaging evidence is revealed.Meanwhile, Robbie’s brother, Malky, falls victim to the cancel culture, and insists Robbie step in to save his TV career.Both Robbie’s clients have their own strategies, but it’s up to Robbie to decide the BEST DEFENCE.

And now that cover:

That’s going to light up my Twitter feed! Not too long to wait until we can start reading, pre-orders are already possible on Amazon: https://www.amazon.co.uk/Best-Defence-Book-Robbie-Munro-ebook/dp/B09P1J7YH8/ref=sr_1_1?qid=1640302440&refinements=p_27%3AWilliam++McIntyre&s=digital-text&sr=1-1&text=William++McIntyre

Best Defence will be available from 1 January 2022.

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December 11

The Untold Story – Genevieve Cogman

Return to the world of the Invisible Library for Irene’s most perilous mission yet . . .

Librarian Spy Irene is heading into danger. Not for the first time, but could this be her last? She’s tasked with a terrifyingly dangerous solo mission to eliminate an old enemy, which must be kept secret at all costs. But even more troubling news emerges. Multiple worlds are disappearing – and the Library may have something to do with it.

Determined to uncover the truth behind the vanished worlds, Irene and her friends must descend into the unplumbed depths of the Library. And what they find will change everything they know. This may be Irene’s most dangerous assignment of her hazardous career.

My thanks to Black Crow PR for the opportunity to host this leg of the blog tour and for providing a review copy ahead of publication.

The Untold Story, for fans of Genevieve Cogman’s wonderful series about The Invisible Library it is time for the biggest secret to be revealed – the story of the Library.

This is the culmination of events, the point where all the threads will be pulled together and what better way to to that than by having Librarian Irene and her companions seek out the story which began it all? The Library has been at the heart of everything through the previous seven books and Irene has shown she will do whatever it takes to complete the missions which the elders at the Library will set her. Of late, however, the book retrieval missions which Irene would traditionally undertake appear to have been reduced in number as diplomatic discussions are becoming more numerous – as is the case at the start of The Untold Story.

Irene is tasked with getting a treaty signed, she feels she is being kept out of the The Library but respects the task she has been assigned to complete and is preparing for a prolonged negotiation. She is alone as her dragon partner, Kai, has not been allowed to attend. Fate will not allow Irene to conduct a “normal” negotiation though and soon readers will enjoy another display of Irene’s resourcefulness and blind luck as she tries to wriggle out of a dangerous predicament. It’s a great opening to the story and allows Genevieve Cogman to bring readers back up to speed with recent events in Irene’s life while also getting the players in place for the next chapter in the story.

The Untold Story is the eighth book in the Invisible Library series so it’s not a jumping on point but there is still care taken by the author to ensure readers are aware of enough background information to get full enjoyment from the new story. There are characters returning from previous books who will play key roles but more importantly there are many familiar faces who will seek to aid (or hinder) Irene as she undertakes her most challenging mission to date.

Irene has discovered the truth about Alberich but she needs to keep that infomration to herself if she can. However, he remains the most dangerous enemy of The Library and he wants to meet as he is proposing a peace treaty. Irene, however, is doing her own investigation into Alberich as she tries to understand what made him turn against the Library in the first instance. To fully understand this she begins to dig deeper into the history of the Library and its creation – how did this astonishing force come into being?

The history of the Library is a well kept secret and someone or something does not want Irene to find out anything about its creation. Working on rumour and story Irene finds a storyteller who can fill in some of the gaps in her knowledge. Will the story she hears let her understand what has turned Alberich from faithful Library servant into a dangerous enemy who is hellbent on destroying the Library? If she can get to the truth then perhaps she may finally defeat Alberich and bring a new peace for the Library.

There are no spoilers in my review but I can tell you that this is a wonderful story which shocks, entertains and fully rewards readers as the secrets are revealed. There are some unexpected casualties along the way and I am not sure Irene’s life will be the same after The Untold Story ends. What I do know it that I have loved this sweeping saga of Librarians, Dragon and Fae – the cautious politics and the sneaky deceptions. The Untold Story is an essential acquisition for any fantasy reader and I do hope there may be more stories from the Library one day.

The Untold Story is published by Pan Macmillan and is available in paperback, digital and audiobook format. You can order a copy here: https://www.waterstones.com/book/the-untold-story/genevieve-cogman/9781529000634

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December 7

My Top Ten Reads 2021

It’s December and another reading year draws to a close. This means I get to look back and select the ten books which I enjoyed most over the last twelve months. These are my personal favourites from the ones I read. They may not be to your liking and you may feel I have missed something outstanding (maybe I didn’t read it) but I hope you will seek out some or all of my selections and enjoy them as much as I have.

If you follow me on Twitter (@grabthisbook) then you will not be surprised at my selection for my favourite book of 2021 – I have been singing its praises since I read it back in February. The exciting news is I am able to share a fabulous discount offer which will grab you 25% off the purchase price if you buy my favourite read through the publisher’s website – details are below.

So to the books. Ten. Because choosing more makes it easy and I start to ask myself why I am leaving out good books if I have made an exception for an eleventh book or a twelfth or thirteenth – before you know it you have a top 25 and that’s too many to be “Top”.

10: The Murder Box – Olivia Kiernan

This was my introduction to the Frankie Sheehan books by Olivia Kiernan and I immediately regretted missing the first books in the series.

A murder mystery wrapped in a puzzle for Sheehan who is too distracted by the disappearance of a local celebrity to give the Murder Box she has recieved the attention it deserved.

It’s great to discover a new series and I will be catching up on Frankie Sheehan in the new year.

You can buy The Murder Box here: https://www.waterstones.com/book/the-murder-box/olivia-kiernan/9781529401141

9: Blood Summer – Steven Dunne

It had been too long since I had last read a Steven Dunne thriller so when Blood Summer released earlier this year I grabbed it at the first opportunity. Boy am I glad I did!

Steven Dunne is brilliant at spinning his magic on dark and disturbing murder stories. Blood Summer shows that he can even bring chills to summertime in the South of France. This story has a global span but is centred around a small French village and a brutal double murder in a luxury villa.

French police and a former American agent who now works on security and protection are both interested in the victims but for very different reasons. Trust me when I say you should not miss out on this book.

You can buy Blood Summer here: https://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/B09B12NDXS/ref=dbs_a_def_rwt_bibl_vppi_i0

8: The Family Tree – Steph Mullin and Nicole Mabry

Debut release for the writing partnership of Mullin and Mabry. It’s a serial killer story and I always enjoy reading those. But the nice switch-up, which made this book shine for me, was that the killer abducts his victims and keeps them alive for months before finally dumping their bodies. He also takes two victims at a time. We know this as the authors tell of each abduction through the eyes of the victims, each new abduction reveals a little more of what happens to the girls who are taken.

In present day Liz Catalano takes a DNA test to trace her family tree, she is shocked to discover she is actually adopted but her DNA flags on the FBI watchlist as Liz is related to a serial killer who has been escaping justice for many years.

You can buy The Family Tree here: https://www.waterstones.com/book/the-family-tree/steph-mullin/nicole-mabry/9780008461249

7: Fragile – Sarah Hilary

I’ve been a fan of Sarah Hilary’s Marnie Rome books for a good few years but Fragile is her first stand alone novel. As I know Sarah is one of the few authors who will really put her recurring characters into very dark places I was keen to see what would happen when she was given a blank canvas with no requirement to keep anyone alive at the end of the book.

What we get is a beautiful gothic story with a tight cast of characters who are all so wonderfully realised that the spring from the pages as the story unfolds around them.

You can buy Fragile here: https://www.waterstones.com/book/fragile/sarah-hilary/9781529029444

6: True Crime Story – Joseph Knox

True Crime Story is one of the books I enjoyed as I read it but then found myself still thinking about some elements of the story long after I had put it down. That’s the sign of a good story and that’s why TCS has been included in my selections. It also makes me go against my policy of not recommending books with characters I really didn’t like (but I wasn’t meant to like the character in question so I guess it’s Kudos to Mr Knox here).

In 2011 a girl went missing, years later a journalist tries to put together the story of that missing girl. She speaks with friends of the girl and they recount what they can remember but time can play tricks on your memory, particularly if the person you were as a student is not the person you are today. Clever, clever writing and a cracking story teased out for readers.

You can buy True Crime Story here: https://www.waterstones.com/book/true-crime-story/joseph-knox/9780857527707

5: 56 Days – Catherine Ryan Howard

In 2021 as we are almost two years into a global pandemic but there have been very few books which actually acknowledge said pandemic. Step forward Catherine Ryan Howard who not only references the pandemic but builds a very slick murder story around Covid. In spring 2020 as the world inched its way into the very first lockdown Ciara and Oliver are in the early stages of a relationship. They think. So when lockdown looms they agree to couple up and move in together. Nobody else knows. Fifty six days later one of them is dead and the police have no idea why.

56 Days was my top audiobook listen in 2021 and it very much gets included in this top ten too.

You can buy 56 Days here: https://www.waterstones.com/book/56-days/catherine-ryan-howard/9781838951627

4: Black Reed Bay – Rod Reynolds

Introducing Detective Casey Wray this is another American based thriller from Rod Reynolds. A young woman has disappeared, last seen in an exclusive waterside residential estate. She called for help as she ran through the streets and some of the residents saw her but nobody knows what happened next.

Casey Wray is investigating but there are distractions in her precinct and loyalties will be put to test.

I got completely caught up in this book, everything else was put to one side until I found out how the story in Black Reed Bay was going to be resolved. From the moment I inhaled that last page and set down the book there was never a doubt it woudl be included here in my end of year favourites.

You can buy Black Reed Bay here: https://www.waterstones.com/book/black-reed-bay/rod-reynolds/9781913193676

3 – The Quiet People – Paul Cleave

This is a story to put you through the wringer. A troubled 7 year old child, his parents barely coping, disappears from his bedroom in the night. The previous day the boy had publically clashed with his father at a local fair. Witnesses will come forward to tell of their shock at how the father coped with his son’s behaviour.

The parents are both crime authors and have a fair degree of celebrity. For years they have written books where murders have been committed and bodies hidden. Now they are in the spotlight for all the worst reasons and the strain on their relationship is making them appear to be acting in a guilty manner. An increasing number of people are thinking the worst of them and while they are under suspicion their son remains missing. Utterly gripping.

You can buy The Quiet People here: https://www.waterstones.com/book/the-quiet-people/paul-cleave/9781913193942

2: Dead Man’s Grave – Neil Lancaster

Bringing the action thriller to Scotland with the brilliant Dead Man’s Grave. In a remote Highland graveyard the head of a powerful crime family is murdered, his body hidden beside an old grave. Max Cragie is a former Met police officer now working with Police Scotland and he is caught up in the aftermath of this killing. A powerful family want revenge for their father’s death but it seems the motive lies in the past and a long-forgotten family feud is suddently resurrected.

Craigie must act to keep some innocent people safe from the gangsters but when he discovers the criminals have some members of Police Scotland on the payroll his task gets much more complicated.

A terrific action thriller and the first book in a new series – get caught up on Craigie immediately.

You can buy Dead Man’s Grave here: https://www.waterstones.com/book/dead-mans-grave/neil-lancaster/9780008517120

1: Phosphate Rocks – Fiona Erskine

I may be running out of superlatives for Phosphate Rocks. I adored it.

A body in an old chemical works in Leith. It’s been there for years. Beside the body is a table with ten objects, each has a story and former site foreman John Gibson is going to tell those stories. His audience is DI Rose Irvine of Police Scotland and she will hear all about life in a chemical plant at a time when the world delivered valuable resources to Edinburgh and a crew of working men would oversee the production of these chemicals from their raw state.

Fiona Erskine combines a crime story with some fascinating science lessons and gives it heart and soul by making each character feel real. As the book does seem to contain a number of anecdotal tales (with Fiona herself making a cameo) you cannot help but feel each character and incident actually was real.

It’s a story like no other I have read this year and I urge you to seek it out.

You can buy Phosphate Rocks here: https://sandstonepress.com/books/phosphate-rocks and if you use the code below you will get 25% discount on the cover price (if you buy before 31st December 2021). Order before 14 December to get delivery in time for Christmas.

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October 29

Decades: Compiling the Ultimate Library with Oli Jacobs

This weekend is Halloween so Decades is going full on horror this week as Oli Jacobs unleashes five chillers to tempt your TBR.

But as this is Decades this isn’t just a case of a guest recommending books to read there are rules to follow too. Here’s your weekly Decades recap….

I am assembling the Decades Library, a collection of the very best books as recommended by my guests. In January I started this challenge with no books in my Library but as we reach Halloween there have been over 200 titles recommended. Each week I invite my guest to nominate any five books which they would want to include in the Ultimate Library (so we can ensure the very best books are represented). When selecting their five books my guests can only pick one book per decade from five consecutive decades – a fifty year publication span.

I wanted to make sure the Halloween weekend added some horror titles to my Library and took to Twitter to see if anyone fancied taking on the challenge. Not only did Oli Jacobs step up to help in my hour of need, he has absolutely smashed it out of the park with his selections. I have read four of his nominations and you can bet I will be picking up the fifth book.

Oli Jacobs is a bearded fellow who is mostly found patrolling the streets of Southampton in search of good beer, fine company, and fried chicken. Due to his anxiety, please approach with kindness.

His works include the Space Comedy series Kirk Sandblaster, Revenge Thriller series Mr Blank, and Horror titles The Station 17 Chronicles, The Children of Little Thwopping, and (at time of writing) BBNYA 2021 semi-finalist Wilthaven. He hopes you enjoy.

DECADES

THE LONG WALK – RICHARD BACHMAN (aka STEPHEN KING) (1979)

In truth, I could have chosen Stephen King books for each of these choices, but for the sake of variety I’ve simply chosen this title, not just because it’s one of my favourites, but because it comes via King’s infamous pseudonym Richard Bachman. The story is simple in its cruelty: 100 teenage boys are forced to take part in a gruelling walking marathon known as the titular Long Walk. There are no breaks, firm rules, and armed guards to make sure things go along smoothly. As we meet our ever-decreasing circle of characters, and the world is built around their experiences, we bear witness to all the simple agonies that this event would bring, from cramp to sleep deprivation.

SONGS OF A DEAD DREAMER – THOMAS LIGOTTI (1985)

Thomas Ligotti is one of those horror authors where you either know him and absolutely love him, or are blissfully unaware but intrigued by his work when he is mentioned. Songs of a Dead Dreamer is his first collection of short stories – a format Ligotti mostly deals in – and introduces the reader to his nihilistic carnival of dread. Starting with a seemingly basic tale of child abduction in The Frolic, the stories become more weird and dream-like. Tales such as The Greater Festival of Masks also highlight Ligotti’s unnerving use of masquerades and puppets, and you certainly feel the influence of the likes of Lovecraft through every inch of the purple prose.

AMERICAN PSYCHO – BRET EASTON ELLIS (1991)

Probably the most well known and infamous on my list, everyone knows American Psycho thanks to the brilliant performance by Christian Bale in the film adaptation. What they don’t know, unlike those who have read this story, is how brutal Patrick Bateman is in the book. Throughout Bateman’s adventures in sadism, the levels are heightened and violence more absurd as he falls deeper into his own psychosis. But, of course, the question of whether all this horror is real or not lingers over the whole tale, settling on the greasy sheen of 80s capitalism that stains the whole narration through lists of musicians, appliances, and other aesthetic ghouls.

HOUSE OF LEAVES – MARK Z DANIELEWSKI (2000)

I will confess now this is one of my all-time favourite books, not just because of the multi-layered story, but how the whole twisted tale is presented. Mark Z Danielewski doesn’t just tell us the story of a heroin addict going through the files of a film critic, who was studying a documentary about a strange house, and the notes about the strange house from the family who lived there… yep, immediately it’s one of those stories. A labyrinth tale that Danielewski presents in a fashion that is as artistic as it is engrossing. It is an exercise in reader patience, but one that rewards with a nightmarish tale and true sense of discontent at the back of the mind.

THE LAST DAYS OF JACK SPARKS – JASON ARNOPP (2016)

This was one of these books I discovered thanks to the wonderful world of author networking that social media has provided us these days. Jason Arnopp is a man well-versed in horror and all things terrifying, given his love for VHS and history of rock journalism. The Last Days of Jack Sparks takes the idea of exorcisms, curses, and hauntings, and twist reality around them along with all the modern technology the titular Jack Sparks introduces to try and save his own skin. The atmosphere is tense from the start, and certain set pieces leave you with a shiver down your shoulder. The music studio bit is a stand out for yours truly…

I love a good horror story and always feel I should read more than I do. If you are on Twitter then I recommend searching under the #PromoteHorror hashtag where there are always some gems to be find.

My thanks again to Oli – these are mighty selections and I now find myself shopping for Songs of a Dead Dreamer (I need to complete the set)

DECADES WILL RETURN

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