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“The Irish Goodbye” by Heather Aimee O’Neill – Book Review #AudiobookReview #LibbyListen @MacmillanAudio #TheIrishGoodbye @LibbyApp

Posted on February 1, 2026 by Fictionophile

Irish Goodbye – when you leave without saying goodbye in order to avoid emotional displays and/or to avoid disturbing others.

I was delighted when my Libby hold finally came in for “The Irish Goodbye“. This debut novel was on many ‘Best of 2025’ lists by my fellow bookbloggers, so I was extra keen to find out what the fuss was about. It is a moving and intricate story about an Irish Catholic family coming to terms with a decades old tragedy and the guilt and trauma that has resulted.

This was an immersive story. Three sisters return to the Ryan family home on Long Island to celebrate Thanksgiving with their parents. One sister, Alice, lives close by and is the designated helper to aid their aging parents with the minutiae of life. The house itself is starting to show evidence of neglect and it needs some important maintenance that they cannot afford. Alice is resentful that her two sisters do not help more with the day to day, as she has a husband and two sons of her own.

Another sister, Cait, lives abroad and is bringing her two young twins to see their grandparents. She is a single mother with a successful legal career.

A third sister, Maggie, is bringing her girlfriend to meet her family for the first time. This is quite courageous, as the family are traditional Irish Catholics, and her mother has never come to terms with Maggie being gay.

Twenty years previously, there was a boating accident that took the life of Daniel, a young man who was Topher’s best friend. Daniel’s family sued the Ryans for Topher’s part in the accident that killed their son. This resulted in the family having to almost bankrupt themselves in order to pay the settlement. Christopher (Topher), was the owner of the boat, and as a result, his guilt was such that he took his own life shortly afterwards. The Ryan’s lost their only son, and almost lost everything else as well…

As the Ryan family gathers over Thanksgiving, many tensions rise to the surface. Individual secrets gradually come to light. Topher’s suicide has left them all with unresolved grief which has impacted their lives ever since.

Each of the three sisters have secrets and crises of their own in addition to the collective family ones. Emotional struggles and moral dilemmas add to the fraught atmosphere.

I listened to this novel on audiobook. It was expertly narrated by Kristen Sieh, who did a wonderful job with the voices and accents of the various characters. I especially liked her narration of the Ryan matriarch, who had a lilting Irish accent.

“The Irish Goodbye” is packed full of realistically portrayed characters and lots and lots of family drama. A strong debut novel that ensures this author an audience for her future books.

This review was written voluntarily. I listened to the novel on audiobook via the Libby app. Published by Macmillan Audio. Unabridged.

Listening time approximately 8 hours, 35 minutes.

Publication date: September 30, 2025
Publisher: Macmillan Audio
ASIN: ‎B0DRPRBZPH

KRISTEN SIEH is a stage, television, and voice-over performer. She was a member of the original cast of the Tony® Award-winning Broadway musical The Band’s Visit, and a founding member of the Brooklyn-based theater company The TEAM, writing and performing half a dozen new plays in the U.S. and abroad.

Posted in Book Reviews, debut novels, Family sagas, Literary fiction, Macmillan Audio | Tagged debut novels, domestic drama, LGBTQ, New York, recommended reading, stand-alone novels | 1 Comment

Fictionophile’s January 2026 #BookHaul #AnticipatedReads #TBR #ForthcomingTitles #ForthcomingFiction #bookbloggers #BookSky📚💙

Posted on January 31, 2026 by Fictionophile

This month I added 6 new review commitments to my TBR mountain.

Two were offered to me via email widgets ; Three were auto-approvals ; and I requested and was approved for one title.

(All book descriptions are linked to Goodreads.)

I received THREE titles from NetGalley.

I received an email widget with an invitation from Harper Collins

I requested this title last December from Vintage/Random House UK, and was approved

I am privileged to be Auto-Approved for all Boldwood Books titles

I received THREE titles from Edelweiss.

This was a ‘Download Now’ title offered by Pushkin Press/Steerforth PressI received an email invitation from Pamela Dorman Books/Penguin Random HouseThis was a ‘Download Now’ title offered by Simon & Schuster

Do any of these titles sound good to you?
Are any of them on YOUR TBR?

Posted in Anticipated titles, Fictionophile report | Tagged book haul | 5 Comments

Cover Love: part 123 – Peeking Around Doors #Fictionophile #CoverLove #BookCovers #BookLovers

Posted on January 29, 2026 by Fictionophile

They say you can never have a second chance to make a good first impression. A book’s cover does just that – gives a first impression. A good cover can make a reader pick up a book. A bad cover can leave the book at the very bottom of a dusty pile.

The covers of novels entice the reader to enter a different world. Covers are, after all, the way the publisher ‘hooks‘ the reader into choosing one book over countless others.

In my 123rd instalment of my Cover Love series of blog posts, I want to feature covers that show people peeking around doors. I was actually surprised at just how many recent fiction titles fit this criteria! I found 26! As you might have guessed, most of these are mysteries and thrillers.

As usual, I have linked the book cover graphic to Goodreads, just in case any of them appeal to you…

Have you read any of these titles? Do you plan to?

Do you have a favourite cover?

Don’t forget to check out any of the other previous 122 instalments of Cover Love, many of which have been updated since they were first published.

Posted in Cover Love series, Dustjackets | Tagged covers | 9 Comments

“Dying To Meet You” by Sarina Bowen – Book Review @HarperPerennial #DyingToMeetYou @SarinaBowen #BookReview

Posted on January 28, 2026 by Fictionophile

In the spring of 2024 I read this author’s “The Five Year Lie” and thoroughly enjoyed it. So, when I learned she had another novel out, I was keen to read it. Her new novel didn’t disappoint.

Our protagonist this time is Rowan Gallagher, a talented architect and single mother. Natalie, her teenage daughter means everything to her. Rowan works near her home as architect to an historical mansion that is being converted for other purposes.

Rowan has recently been dumped by Tim, her ‘boyfriend’ and is still smarting by the way their relationship ended. She tracks him on her phone and realizes that he is sitting outside the mansion where she works. She takes her dog out for a walk and ‘just happens’ to pass by. On closer inspection of his car, she realizes that he has been shot dead! Because she had been tracking his movements via her phone’s app, she becomes a suspect in his murder.

When she learns that Harrison, her daughter’s ex-con father is in town, she wonders… Yet, she knows Harrison, and doesn’t think he would do this heinous deed.

She does some investigative research and learns that Tim, a journalist, was himself investigating the history of the mansion where she is now working. It had a sordid history. It was once a home for unwed mothers, and there were some unscrupulous and very shady dealings surrounding the girls and their babies. Since she works there everyday, she has access to historical files which come to impact the case… and, which puts her in dire jeopardy.

“Dying To Meet You” is an edge-of-your-seat thriller filled with likeable characters and plenty of suspense. One of my favourite characters was Harrison. Rowan’s dog, Lick Jagger, figures prominently in some scenes and he steals the show.

The plot of this novel is rather complex and expertly plotted. Touted as a mystery with a touch of supernatural, I personally could have done without the supernatural aspect (which is minor). The only quibble I had, is in the final chapter which serves as a sort of afterword featuring the character of Coralie. I thought it unnecessary, but would love to hear your thoughts about it. Also, I didn’t see how the title linked to the story. Perhaps I’m just slow.

In all, a very enjoyable read. I cannot wait to find out what Sarina Bowen has in store for her readers next time out.

This review was written voluntarily and my rating was in no way influenced by the fact that I received a complimentary digital copy of this novel from Harper Perennial via Edelweiss.

Publication date: May 13, 2025

ISBN: 9780063280649 – ASIN: ‎ B0DCZLBXM6 – 370 pages

Sarina Bowen is a 24-time USA Today bestselling author, and a Wall Street Journal bestselling author of contemporary romance novels. Formerly a derivatives trader on Wall Street, Sarina holds a BA in economics from Yale University.

A New Englander whose Vermont ancestors cut timber and farmed the north country in the 1760s, Sarina is grateful for the invention of indoor plumbing and wi-fi during the intervening 250 years. She lives with her family on a few wooded acres in New Hampshire.

Sarina’s books are published in over a dozen languages with fifteen international publishers.

Connect with Sarina Bowen via her website; Facebook; and/or Instagram.

Posted in Book Reviews, Edelweiss, Mystery fiction, Page turners, Suspense | Tagged recommended reading, thrillers, stand-alone novels, page-turners, Maine | 6 Comments

“Dead Of Winter” by Keri Beevis – Book Review @BoldwoodBooks #DeadOfWinter #BookReview

Posted on January 27, 2026 by Fictionophile

This is the first book I’ve read by Keri Beevis. It was an entertaining diversion on a cold winter’s night.

Lola is on a business trip. She has recently come to know that she has a biological brother and wants to meet him. Since she will be fairly close to where he lives, she makes arrangement to visit him, and meet him for the first time.

Her drive from her hotel is a perilous one. A winter storm has come in and she is not used to driving on snow covered roads. When she reaches her brother’s home, a large house called Midwinter Manor, she is met with a reception that is not what she hoped for. Her brother, who is in a wheelchair, and his wife, seem cold and unwelcoming. Her stay is short and she returns to her rental car and drives away…. only to have a skid which debilitates her car. She returns to the manor on foot to call for help. However, it is then that there is a power cut! Her brother and sister-in-law have no choice but to offer her shelter from the storm. She doesn’t want to be there – and they don’t want her there. It is obvious to all.

The more hours she spends in the manor, the more she know that something is dreadfully amiss… Secrets and cover-ups abound. Eventually, the pair show their true colours, which puts Lola in mortal jeopardy.

Though yes, this was an entertaining read, it fell short for me on several levels. The forced proximity trope has been done to death, sometimes done well… sometimes not. The ‘secret’ that is held by the owners of the manor was a sordid one. The decisions of almost all of the characters seemed ill advised and in some cases, preposterous.

The main theme throughout this novel was avarice. Though the book was set in the days immediately leading up to Christmas, there was nothing at all festive about the story. Honestly, the cover was the best part.

In all, this was a very predictable novel. Entertaining, yet seriously lacking in depth. A soap opera of a novel. You know what you’re getting, and if you enjoy that sort of thing, it will be a book to pass the time on a cold winter’s night.

This review was written voluntarily and my rating was in no way influenced by the fact that I received a complimentary digital copy of this novel from Boldwood Books via NetGalley.

Publication date: October 10, 2025

ISBN: 9781835336038 – ASIN: ‎ B0F4VVZSRB – 315 pages

Born in the village of Old Catton, less than a mile from where Anna Sewell was living when she wrote Black Beauty, Keri had a passion for reading and writing from a young age, though her tastes veered more to the macabre.

Today she still lives in Norfolk, along with her mischievous kitties, Ellie, Poppy and Finn, and a plentiful supply of red wine (her writing fuel). When she’s not writing, she loves movies (horror, thriller, romcom, are her go to) and live music. She is also big on dinner parties, exploring creepy places, and gets extremely competitive in local pub quizzes.

In 2019, Keri was signed by Bloodhound Books and her first release with them, the psychological thriller, Dying To Tell, which is set in her beautiful home county of Norfolk, went on to be a huge bestseller, hitting the top 25 in the UK and the no. 1 spot in Australia. Her second book, Deep Dark Secrets was also a top 100 Amazon bestseller.

Posted in Boldwood Books, Book Reviews, NetGalley | Tagged England, stand-alone novels, thrillers, winter reading | 4 Comments

“Best Laid Plans” by Gwen Florio – Book Review @severnhouse #BestLaidPlans #BacklistReview #BookReview @GwenFlorio

Posted on January 25, 2026 by Fictionophile

Nora Best is a ‘happily’ married, childless woman who has recently turned fifty. She and her husband, in a courageous moment, quit their jobs, sold their home in Denver and purchased an Airstream trailer. They plan to travel across the United States, all the while Nora is to document their travels on her blog, and eventually write a book. They hold a party to say goodbye to all their neighbours and friends. Then… Nora’s dreams of a hope filled future are forever dashed when she finds her husband making love to his best friend’s wife!

In a rage fuelled panic, Nora hops into their truck and drives away. No easy task, because she is unfamiliar with the new truck, and knows nothing about hauling a large trailer. After a long and tension filled drive, she arrives at a campsite in Wyoming. Here she makes friends with the camp’s managers, Brad and Miranda, an attractive young couple who seem to be down on their luck. Shortly thereafter, Brad disappears and is thought to have been attacked by a roaming grizzly bear. Then, after investigation, Nora herself is thought to have murdered him! Nora’s adventure quickly takes a nightmarish turn… Events escalate, finding Nora is some dangerous and precarious positions. Some intense and adrenaline fuelled scenes added to the suspenseful narrative.

Nora also finds herself attracted to park ranger Caleb Dexter. A man who seems to understand her predicament. A man who is on HER side. The only person she can trust. With Caleb’s help, Nora gradually finds her feet – and her confidence.

Though I didn’t take to Nora Best at first, I found she grew on me over the course of the novel. I was amazed at her voracious appetite, and chuckled over her obvious love of food. “Best Laid Plans” marks the start of a series that has a lot of potential, despite some plot holes and predictable twists. The ending paved the way for Nora’s future adventures, though it didn’t end quite the way I had anticipated. In all, an entertaining and quick read.

Fictionophile rating = 3.5 stars
rounded up for NetGalley and Amazon
rounded down for Goodreads (where the star ratings have different values)

This review was written voluntarily and my rating was in no way influenced by the fact that I received a complimentary digital copy of this novel from Severn House via NetGalley. This title is from my extensive NetGalley backlist. My apologies to the author.

Publication date: February 2, 2021

ISBN: 9780727890245 – ASIN: ‎ B08MQ6JQ3Z – 256 pages

Gwen Florio is the author of Silent Hearts. She grew up in a 250-year-old brick farmhouse on a wildlife refuge in Delaware and now lives in Montana. Currently the city editor for the Missoulian, Gwen has reported on the Columbine High School shooting and from conflict zones such as Afghanistan, Iraq, and Somalia. Montana, her first novel in the Lola Wicks detective series, won the High Plains Book Award and the Pinckley Prize for debut crime fiction.

She’s an avid baker, which necessitates being an avid runner-turned-walker, and will readily hop a plane to just about anywhere. Florio lives in Missoula, Montana, with her partner, Scott Crichton, and an exuberant, manuscript-chewing bird dog named Nell.

She’s a member of International Thriller Writers, Mystery Writers of America, Sisters in Crime, and the America-Italy Society of Philadelphia. She worked with Judy Sternlight Literary Services in the initial editing of Montana, Dakota and Silent Hearts, and is represented by Richard Curtis and Sarah Yake.

Connect with Gwen Florio via her website; Twitter/X; and or Instagram.

Posted in 1st in series, Beat the backlist, Book Reviews, Mystery fiction, NetGalley | Tagged recommended reading, thrillers, Western USA, Wyoming | 3 Comments

“The House On The Cliff” by Victoria Scott – Book Review @BoldwoodBooks #TheHouseOnTheCliff @Toryscott #BookReview

Posted on January 23, 2026 by Fictionophile

I’ll admit, the setting was what first enticed me to read this novel. An abbey/boarding school sitting atop a rugged cliff on the Cornish coast… how atmospheric.

The dual-time line narrative served this story well.

Present day: Amanda and Mike are very recent ’empty-nesters’. Mike has a new position as deputy head of a remote boarding school in Cornwall. Amanda, missing her children desperately, thinks maybe a fresh start, in a new location, would help her adjust to her new situation. Once there, Mike is totally consumed by his work. The school is struggling financially and Mike spends every free minute attending to his myriad duties. Amanda though, is left with far too much free time. Not only does she miss her children, but she also misses her friends in London. This, in turn, puts a huge strain on their marriage.

1966: A young woman named Theresa leaves Dublin to take up a position as school nurse at Hallows Abbey in Cornwall. She enjoys the work very much. She tries her best to be impartial, but she is particularly fond of a boy named John. He is a scholarship student who doesn’t quite ‘fit in’, and as a result is bullied.

Theresa is also falling in love… she is besotted with a local man. When a boat trip is planned for the boys as an outing, she finagles a way for this man to skipper the boat. The day ended in tragedy… the boys and teachers who went out that day were never found.

Meanwhile, Amanda (present day) learns of the tragic boat trip. She becomes more and more interested in finding out just what happened that day. Her life at the Abbey is becoming more and more distressing. Mike pays her no attention, she is menopausal, and she constantly hears crying at night. Crying that seems to have no source…

As the past gives up its secrets, the resilience of both Amanda and young Theresa is highlighted.

Recommended to readers who love a gothic atmosphere coupled with a mysterious story.

This review was written voluntarily and my rating was in no way influenced by the fact that I received a complimentary digital copy of this novel from Boldwood Books via NetGalley.

Publication date: October 4, 2025

ISBN: 9781835617144 – ASIN: ‎ B0DSCS2WR5 – 360 pages

Victoria Scott is a bestselling British author of life-affirming fiction, known for her gripping gothic historical mysteries and uplifting book club novels that explore themes of hope, resilience and the power of human friendship and love. Her books are perfect for fans of Lucinda Riley, Kate Morton, and Jojo Moyes.

Her novels, The Storyteller’s Daughter and The Women Who Wouldn’t Leave, are both Amazon Top 100 bestsellers. Her latest novel, The House on the Cliff – a haunting, atmospheric tale of secrets and second chances – is out now.

Before becoming a novelist, Victoria worked as a journalist for the BBC, The Telegraph and Al Jazeera. She now combines her love of storytelling with lecturing in journalism at Kingston University.

Victoria lives on an island in the River Thames with her husband, two children, and a cat called Alice. When she’s not writing, she is a keen (but amateur) singer and gardener.

Connect with Victoria Scott via her website; Twitter; and/or Instagram.

Posted in Boldwood Books, Book Reviews, gothic fiction, Historical fiction, NetGalley | Tagged academic setting, dual time lines, England, recommended reading, stand-alone novels | 5 Comments

“Smash All The Windows” by Jane Davis – Book Review #RossdalePrintProductions #SmashAllTheWindows @janedavisauthor #BookReview #BacklistReview

Posted on January 22, 2026 by Fictionophile

Over the years we have all heard of tragedies. We hear of scores of people who have died and we mutter to ourselves “Oh, those poor people”. These ‘poor people’ are removed from us, so it is not a personal loss. In “Smash All The Windows“, Jane Davis puts us front and center in a disastrous accident that has far reaching repercussions. A tragic ‘crush‘ disaster that takes place in an over-crowded London Tube station. A tragic event where the large, dense crowd become so compressed that people are unable to breathe or move, leading to fifty-eight deaths from asphyxiation, or being trampled. Like a ripple on the ocean, it goes on to impact not just the victims, but the victim’s families and friends. The employees of the London Underground too are left with emotional scars that will stay with them forever. So many lives, irrevocably changed.

Their has been an inquest and a class action suit. Now, a second inquest rules that the victims were not at fault…

To make it even more impactful, the author tells this story via a dual time line. She introduces us to a few of the victims. People who were just going about their everyday lives, not knowing that it would be their last… From a pregnant woman working her final day before maternity leave, to a drug-dealing teenage boy, she makes all her characters well rounded and empathetic.

We come to know the families of the deceased years later. When the raw impact of their loss has somewhat dulled, but their hearts are forever broken and their minds are still full of questions. The novel examines the myriad ways people deal with grief.

We learn that an artist is creating an art installation to commemorate the disaster and celebrate the lives of those lost, which turns out to illustrate the healing powers of art. A catharsis of deeply felt trauma.

“Smash all the Windows” won the inaugural Selfies Book Award in 2019. A poignant and compelling read for those who appreciate literary fiction.

This review was written voluntarily and my rating was in no way influenced by the fact that I received a complimentary digital copy of this novel from the author.

Publication date: April 12, 2018 Publisher: Rossdale Print Productions

ISBN: 9780993277672 336 pages

Jane Davis is the author of seven novels. Her debut, Half-truths and White Lies, won the Daily Mail First Novel Award and was described by Joanne Harris as ‘A story of secrets, lies, grief and, ultimately, redemption, charmingly handled by this very promising new writer.’ The Bookseller featured her in their ‘One to Watch’ section. Six further novels have earned her a loyal fan base and wide-spread praise, as well as comparisons to Kate Atkinson, Margaret Atwood and Maggie O’Farrell. Her favourite description of fiction is ‘made-up truth’.

Jane lives in Carshalton, Surrey, with her Formula 1 obsessed, beer-brewing partner, surrounded by growing piles of paperbacks, CDs and general chaos. When she is not writing, you may spot Jane disappearing up the side of a mountain with a camera in hand.

Posted in award winners, Beat the backlist, Book Reviews | Tagged bereavement, disaster fiction, England, parental grief, recommended reading, stand-alone novels | 11 Comments

“My Husband’s Wife” by Alice Feeney – Book Review @MacmillanAudio #AudiobookReview @alicewriterland #MyHusbandsWife #Audiobooks🎧📚

Posted on January 19, 2026 by Fictionophile

This is my fifth read of Alice Feeney’s work. In my opinion this one is by far the best yet! And that is saying something, because I really liked her previous novels.

Just when I thought I had it sussed out, another plot twist would leave me with my mouth hanging open… Because I read a LOT of thrillers, this does not happen often.

This story with themes of trust, gas-lighting, deception, identity, revenge, and parental love, is set in scenic Cornwall.

Narrated by Bel Powley, Henry Rowley, and Richard Armitage, whose voices immersed me in the novel more than the printed word would have, cause me to recommend the audiobook version for its excellence.

At first, I thought it sounded a little like something I had previously read. A women comes home after her morning run, only to find her keys do not fit her front door. When she knocks, a woman who resembles her, claims to BE her, and then her husband corroborates the other woman’s story. After that however, it wandered into truly original territory. I was blown away!

My favourite character was Olivia Bird (Birdy), who is a police officer investigating the case.

Many events in this twisty novel will make you uneasy. The short chapters ensure the reader’s attention is ensnared and the pages almost turn themselves. The reader’s perception of the key characters shifts constantly. This is a cleverly plotted thriller that is complex, but never confusing.

I will definitely highly recommend “My Husband’s Wife” to all who will listen. I’m certain I’ve already found my first contender for 2026’s top ten list.

This review was written voluntarily and my rating was in no way influenced by the fact that I received a complimentary digital copy of this audiobook from Macmillan Audio via NetGalley. I listened to the novel on audiobook via the NetGalley Shelf app. Published by Macmillan Audio. Unabridged.

Publication date: January 20, 2026

Listening time approximately 8 hrs. 59 min. ISBN: 9781250429797

Alice Feeney is a writer and journalist. She spent 15 years at the BBC, where she worked as a Reporter, News Editor, Arts and Entertainment Producer and One O’clock News Producer.

Alice is has lived in London and Sydney and has now settled in the Surrey countryside, where she lives with her husband. She writes in her shed with her dog; a giant black Labrador who is scared of feathers.

Her debut novel, Sometimes I Lie, was a New York Times and international bestseller. It has been translated into over twenty languages, and is being made into a TV series by Ellen DeGeneres and Warner Bros. starring Sarah Michelle Gellar. Her second novel, I Know Who You Are, was published in 2019. His & Hers is her third novel which is soon to be made into a TV series starring Jessica Chastain. Her subsequent novels Rock Paper Scissors, Daisy Darker, Good Bad Girl, and Beautiful Ugly were all best sellers.

You can connect with Alice @alicewriterland on Twitter, Facebook and Instagram.

Posted in Audiobooks, Book Reviews, Favorite books, Macmillan Audio, NetGalley, Page turners, Psychological thrillers | Tagged domestic thriller, England, recommended reading, stand-alone novels, thrillers | 8 Comments

“The Mystery Of Yew Tree House” by Lesley Thomson – Book Review @AriesFiction #TheMysteryOfYewTreeHouse #DetectivesDaughter @BloomsburyBooks #BookReview #BacklistReview

Posted on January 16, 2026 by Fictionophile

Though this novel is number nine in the author’s “Detective’s Daughter” series, it can be read as a stand-alone.

The story is told via a dual-timeline format. One timeline in the 1940s during the war, and the other timeline in the present day.

During WWII war widow Adelaide is coping the best she can under trying circumstances. Her husband died at Dunkirk, and Adelaide Stride is left alone to care for her two daughters, Clare and Rosa. She also cares for Henry, a young evacuee boy from London.

In the present, we follow Stella Darnell, her partner Jack Harmon, and his two young children as they vacation in Sussex. They are renting a dwelling called Yew Tree House from two elderly sisters, Clare and Rosa Stride. Jack’s children discover a human skeleton while playing in the garden of Yew Tree House. This discovery precipitates a convoluted and intricate investigation.

I really like Stella’s character. She is approachable and authentic. I am amused by how she prefers cleaning to her second vocation of amateur detective.

The plot was quite complex and contained several eccentric characters, though it was cleverly plotted. It contained red herrings and plot twists that will satisfy many the mystery lover. This instalment of the Detective’s Daughter series has a very vintage cozy mystery feel to it. It was not my favourite read by this talented author, but worthwhile all the same.

This review was written voluntarily and my rating was in no way influenced by the fact that I received a complimentary digital copy of this novel from Head of Zeus via NetGalley.

Publication date: September 14, 2023 Publisher: Aries/Head of Zeus

ISBN: 9781804546161 ASIN: B0BJZXXN8L 400 pages

Lesley Thomson grew up in west London. Her first novel, A Kind of Vanishing, won the People’s Book Prize in 2010. Her second novel, The Detective’s Daughter, was a #1 bestseller and the series has sold over 750,000 copies. Lesley divides her time between Sussex and Gloucestershire. She lives with her partner and her dog.