Category: Book Reviews

Book Review – The Mermaid And Mrs Hancock by Imogen Hermes Gowar

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Pages: 484Published: 25th January 2018Genre: Historical FictionContent warnings: Racism, sexual content One September evening in 1785, the merchant Jonah Hancock finds one of his captains waiting eagerly on his doorstep. He has sold Jonah’s ship for what appears to be a mermaid. As gossip spreads through the docks, coffee shops, parlours and brothels, everyone wants to see Mr Hancock’s … Continue reading Book Review – The Mermaid And Mrs Hancock by Imogen Hermes Gowar

Book Review – The Reappearance Of Rachel Price by Holly Jackson

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Pages: 430Published: 2nd April 2024Genre: MysteryContent warnings: Gaslighting, references to domestic abuse and kidnap 18-year-old Bel has lived her whole life in the shadow of her mom’s mysterious disappearance. Sixteen years ago, Rachel Price vanished and young Bel was the only witness, but she has no memory of it. Rachel is gone, long presumed dead, and Bel wishes everyone … Continue reading Book Review – The Reappearance Of Rachel Price by Holly Jackson

Book Review – Rule Of Wolves by Leigh Bardugo

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Pages: 579Published: 30th March 2021Genre: FantasyContent warnings: Injury detail The wolves are circling. And Ravka's time is running out. The Demon King. As Fjerda's massive army prepares to invade, Nikolai Lantsov will summon every bit of his ingenuity and charm—and even the monster within—to win this fight. But a dark threat looms that cannot be defeated by a young … Continue reading Book Review – Rule Of Wolves by Leigh Bardugo

Book Review – One Of Us Is Back by Karen M. McManus

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Pages: 356Published: 25th July 2023Genre: Young Adult MysteryContent warnings: Injury detail, drink spiking, references to sexual assault Ever since Simon died in detention, life hasn't been easy for the Bayview Crew. First the Bayview Four had to prove they weren't killers. Then a new generation had to outwit a vengeful copycat. Now, it's beginning again. At first the mysterious … Continue reading Book Review – One Of Us Is Back by Karen M. McManus

Book Review – The Girl Who Came Out Of The Woods by Emily Barr

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Pages: 393Published: 2nd May 2019Genre: Young AdultContent warnings: Child death, drugs Arty has always lived in the Clearing, a commune hidden in the forests of south India. But her happy life, separate from the rest of the world, is shattered after a terrible event. For the first time, Arty must leave her home, and head into the intriguing but … Continue reading Book Review – The Girl Who Came Out Of The Woods by Emily Barr

Book Review – The Maiden by Kate Foster

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Pages: 384Published: 27th April 2023Genre: Historical FictionContent warnings: Misogyny, sexual content, allusions to rape "In the end, it did not matter what I said at my trial. No one believed me." Edinburgh, October 1679. Lady Christian Nimmo is arrested and charged with the murder of her lover, James Forrester. News of her imprisonment and subsequent trial is splashed across … Continue reading Book Review – The Maiden by Kate Foster

Book Review – The Appeal by Janice Hallett

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Pages: 445Published: 14th January 2021Genre: MysteryContent warnings: Cancer storyline The Fairway Players, a local theatre group, is in the midst of rehearsals when tragedy strikes the family of director Martin Hayward and his wife Helen, the play’s star. Their young granddaughter has been diagnosed with a rare form of cancer, and with an experimental treatment costing a tremendous sum, … Continue reading Book Review – The Appeal by Janice Hallett

Book Review – The Ballad Of Songbirds And Snakes by Suzanne Collins

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Pages: 517Published: 19th May 2020Genre: Dystopian FantasyContent warnings: Injury detail, violence/torture It is the morning of the reaping that will kick off the tenth annual Hunger Games. In the Capitol, eighteen-year-old Coriolanus Snow is preparing for his one shot at glory as a mentor in the Games. The once-mighty house of Snow has fallen on hard times, its … Continue reading Book Review – The Ballad Of Songbirds And Snakes by Suzanne Collins

Book Review – The Household by Stacey Halls

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Pages: 374Published: 11th April 2024Genre: Historical FictionContent warnings: Misogyny, sexual references In a quiet house in the countryside outside London, the finishing touches are being made to welcome a group of young women. The house and its location are top secret, its residents unknown to one another, but the girls have one thing in they are fallen. Offering refuge … Continue reading Book Review – The Household by Stacey Halls

Book Review – The September House by Carissa Orlando

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Pages: 352Published: 5th September 2023Genre: HorrorContent warnings: Strong gore/injury detail, references to domestic abuse and alcoholism When Margaret and her husband Hal bought the large Victorian house on Hawthorn Street - for sale at a surprisingly reasonable price - they couldn’t believe they finally had a home of their own. Then they discovered the hauntings. Every September, the walls … Continue reading Book Review – The September House by Carissa Orlando