Book review: The Mysterious Affair of Judith Potts (The Marlow Murder Club #5) by Robert Thorogood

The Marlow Murder Club is a consistently great whodunnit series by author Robert Thorogood – in book form and on-screen – and I'm delighted that for the past few years I've been able to kick-off my reading year with a new instalment each time! The Mysterious Affair of Judith Potts is another wonderful addition to the series, lifting the curtain on a part of our protagonist' life we've never seen before nor expected...

Book review: The Cat and the Christmas Kidnapper (Conrad the Cat Detective #4) by L.T. Shearer [blog tour]

I absolutely adore the "Conrad the Cat Detective" book series by L.T Shearer as it combines two of my absolute favourite things: cats and crime novels. And since adopting my own feline friend last month, diving back into this series felt even more special as we were able to enjoy the book "together" :)

Book review: Marble Hall Murders by Anthony Horowitz

I've been obsessed with Anthony Horowitz's books for 25 years and they just keeps getting better and better. The previous instalments in this series – Magpie Murders and Moonflower Murders – introduced us to Susan Ryeland; a books editor turned sleuth as she discovers that the detective stories she's editing reveal clues to real-life murder cases. Horowitz masterfully writes both a golden age whodunnit and contemporary murder mystery and deftly connects the characters – and clues – between the two. In Marble Hall Murders he has managed to work his magic once again. And it's an absolute sensation. 

Book review: Murder on the Marlow Belle (The Marlow Murder Club #4) by Robert Thorogood

The Marlow Murder Club by Robert Thorogood is one of the book series I recommend the most to friends and family (in fact: I chose it for my secret Santa last year!). They are fantastic murder mysteries and the main group of characters are also super hilarious; a winning combination. And, in the latest instalment, Thorogood adds a theatrical group into the mix. Needless to say, lots of drama ensues and not just on stage...

Book review: The Official Agatha Christie Puzzle Book [blog tour]

The cover image for this post showing my book shelves may be a slight indication that I adore Agatha Christie's stories. In recent years, this has translated into hunting down titles I don't yet own in charity shops (and splurging on the gorgeous new hardbacks as they come out) alongside devouring contemporary authors writing similarly gripping whodunnits, such as Anthony Horowitz, Janice Hallett, Robert Thorogood, and Richard Osman. But – of course – nothing can quite beat a "Christie" and I love the gorgeously designed merchandise that is being released: including a brand-new puzzle book. 

Book review: A Lively Midwinter Murder by Katy Watson

I adore Mr B's Emporium in Bath. It's my all-time favourite book shop with the best booksellers! They have recommended many novels to me that ended up being absolute favourites, including the fantastic The Three Dahlias by Katy Watson. Just two years after the release of this brilliantly clever take on the whodunnit, the series already comprises of four different titles. And the latest one is set at Christmas time; the perfect murderous read for the festive season. 

Book review: The Most Wonderful Crime of the Year by Ally Carter [blog tour]

I was obsessed with Ally Carter's heist and spy novels 10-15 years ago, so when I saw that she had a festive crime release coming up, I was VERY excited to check it out. And it didn't disappoint. It had her telltale fast-paced storytelling as well as a murderous plot twist and a delicious budding romance!

Book review: The Cat Who Cracked a Cold Case (Conrad the Cat Detective #3) by L T Shearer [blog tour]

As a lover of both cats and murder mysterious, it was inevitable I'd fall head over heels in love with Conrad, a calico cat who is the companion of a former police detective and a clever investigator in his own right. I first read their adventured in The Cat Who Solved Three Murders and was thrilled when I saw that they were continuing in what is already the third instalment of the series: The Cat Who Cracked a Cold Case.  

Book review: A Curtain Twitcher’s Book of Murder by Gay Marris [blog tour]

Whenever a publisher puts "murder" in the title of a book, they've instantly got my attention. Cosy crime truly is the genre of the season – and for good reason. It's such delicious form of escapism. Although The Curtain Twitcher's Book of Murder is a little less cosy than your average Richard Osman. It's dark and macabre, and leaves the reader feeling unsettled and suspicious of their own neighbours.

Book review: Death In Nonna's Kitchen by Alex Coombs [blog tour]

As an avid lover of whodunnits, I was thrilled to be introduced to Alex Coombs' Old Forge Café Mysteries last year. The first book in the series – Murder on the Menu – was a delight for both crime lovers and foodies alike as it encompasses the perfect blend of gripping mystery and scrumptious cooking desciptions. In the second novel, there's a little less recipe testing but a whole lot more murder....

Book review: Close to Death by Anthony Horowitz (Hawthorne Investigates #5)

I cannot get enough of Anthony Horowitz' brilliant crime novels. I already loved his young adult books, like Alex Rider and The Power of Five, growing up – but his murder mysteries from recent years really surpass my expectations time and time again. And the Hawthorne Investigates series – in which he places a fictionalised version of himself alongside private detective Daniel Hawthorne as an unlikely investigative duo – really is Sherlock Holmes for the 21st century  

Book review: The Queen of Poisons (The Marlow Murder Club #3) by Robert Thorogood

It's only January and I've already read one of the best books of the year! The Queen of Poisons – the third instalment in Robert Thorogood's Marlow Murder Club series – was one of my most anticipated novels for 2024 and it didn't disappoint. Main characters Judith, Suzie, and Becks feel like old friends at this stage and I was so delighted to reunite with them for another riotous murder investigation. 

Book review: Murder All Inclusive by Alastair Puddick [blog tour]

What's more festive than a whodunnit set in the hot Spanish sun at an all-inclusive hotel?! Okay, it's maybe not the most Christmassy setting but I do love a dash of murder this time of year – and I was delighted to dive into a to me entirely new series with Murder All Inclusive by Alastair Puddick. 

Book review: Murder on the Menu by Alex Coombs [blog tour]

Murder mysteries seem to really be the popular genre of the last few years and I'm absolutely loving it. There are so many wonderful new authors I've discovered that are pro whodunnit writers, from Robert Thorogood to Janice Hallett, and Alex Coombs has quickly joined their ranks as one of my new favs!

Book review: Murder at Holly House by Denzil Meyrick [blog tour]

It's the season for murder mysteries! OK, I admit, I do love a good whodunnit any time of year, but nothing beats cosying up on a cold and dark evening with a gripping tale of killings, secrets, and red herrings. And Murder at Holly House by Denzil Meyrick hit the murderous spot just right. 

Book review: The Christmas Appeal by Janice Hallett [blog tour]

October was a truly festive reading month for me. But rather than devouring another romance book, this time around I returned to the fictional town of Lockwood, and particularly the Fairway Players from Janice Hallett's novel The Appeal as they gear up for their seasonal production. After all, no Christmas is complete without a dash of murder...

Book review: The Cat Who Solved Three Murders (Conrad the Cat Detective #2) by L T Shearer

The Cat Who Solved Three Murders had me sold with its premise (and lovely cover) as our family cat is a calico so I have a particular soft spot for these mischievous creatures. Not only that, but I also know an adorable cat who lives on a London canal boat, just like Conrad – it was clearly meant to be! And I'm so glad to say that this book lived up to its furry expectations, and then some. 

Book review: The Turnglass by Gareth Rubin [blog tour]

When I saw that The Turnglass by Gareth Rubin isn't only a murder mystery but a tête-bêche as well, I was instantly sold. This is a type of novel made up of two separate books that are linked in unexpected ways, one story providing clues to the mystery within the other. It may sound a little confusing at first, but it is a very clever and fun way to read a novel. Some of my all-time favourite books, Magpie Murders and Moonflower Murders by Anthony Horowitz, are great examples of this innovative storytelling format – so I had high hopes for this one too!

Book review: The Shell House Detectives by Emylia Hall [blog tour]

I've hugely enjoyed Emylia Hall's writing ever since I had the opportunity to review her debut novel The Book of Summers back in 2012 (I cannot believe this is over 10 years ago now, where does time go?!). And I love that as my reading preferences have moved away from contemporary women's fiction, so have her stories. The Shell House Detectives is the first book in a new cosy crime series – and immediately after turning the final page, I was already gasping for more. 

Book review: The Murder Game by Tom Hindle

I do love a good murder mystery. Whether is a classic Agatha Christie or a contemporary tale, such as The Thursday Murder Club or The Marlow Murder Club, as long a clever whodunnit. Tom Hindle's A Fatal Crossing was one of my favourite new discoveries within the genre last year, and the author's second novel is even better. In The Murder Game he takes readers to a classic setting: a group of people are "stuck" in a remote country house when one of them is killed. With motives and opportunities galore, who was the one to do the awful deed?