I’m just a little late within the day with this put up this week for 2 excellent causes. Form of. Firstly, I’ve been in Stirling since Friday, attending Bloody Scotland, and we didn’t get house till late night. I didn’t really feel like writing every part up, or taking all of the e book images very first thing. In actual fact, I handled myself to an extended overdue lie in. My different motive, simply as necessary, within the grand previous world of adulting not less than, was the necessity to go and purchase an extended overdue set of latest curtains for my entrance window. One of many joys of getting cats is their enjoyment of climbing something that hangs, and, as blackout curtains go, mine have been very a lot on the stage they’d have made an excellent map of the cosmos … Extra holes than Swiss cheese. Not any extra. I sit up for seeing how lengthy they final.
As a result of I used to be doing bookish issues this weekend, I do have a whole lot of books to share with you. Not solely that, however I obtained a bunch of books over the week as properly, so it’s been a really busy e book week. Another excuse to place off penning this put up as I had a whole lot of photos to take and e book covers to obtain. Not all purchases this week have been bodily books, shocker. I *might* have purchased a couple of audio and e-books too.
First issues first: My ‘regular’ e book buys. My Bert’s books supply arrived this morning, with my September Orenda Books inside it. This month it’s The Torments by Michael J. Malone, and Residing is a Downside by Doug Johnstone. Each glorious and each heartily advisable. I additionally obtained my preorder of We Remedy Murders by Richard Osman. Joyful Jen right here then.
Residing is a Downside; The Torments
I additionally obtained a stunning bundle from Goldsboro Books – the September Goldsboro Crime Collective e book and goodies, which this month is A Reluctant Spy by David Goodman. I’ll do a correct put up on that simply as quickly as I can, however you may be a part of the month-to-month Crime e book subscription proper right here.
We went to fewer panels this yr than regular, however all have been glorious. We began Friday with the aptly named Friday thirteenth Fright Night time panel with Stuart Neville (Blood Like Mine); J.D. (James) Oswald (Damaged Ghosts) and Ben Aaronovitch (The Masquerades of Spring) after which made our strategy to the The Wickedest Hyperlink occasion on the Albert Halls the place plenty of authors competed towards one another in true ‘Weakest Hyperlink’ model to earn cash for charity.
Saturday was an earlyish begin with Denzil Meyrick (The Property) and Marion Todd (Bridges To Burn). Then a little bit of a break till Lacking In Motion with Tim Weaver (The Lacking Household), Kate London (The Misper) and Imran Mahmood (Discovering Sophie), adopted by the Kiwi Crime panel with Vanda Symon (Prey) & Michael Bennett (Return to Blood) and Land of Crime and Ice with Katrín Júlíusdóttir (Useless Candy) and Lilja Sigurðardóttir (Darkish As Night time). Mandie then headed over to The Witching Hour with Michael J Malone (The Torments); Suzy Aspley (Crow Moon) and Kate Foster (The King’s Witches) whereas I attended the pre-launch for The Fort, the model new novel from John Sutherland which is out subsequent yr. Exceedingly unique (and powerful) whisky was tasted and a sampler was introduced house too.
Sunday was a double header for us with Janice Hallett (The Examiner) and Robert Thorogood (The Queen Of Poisons); adopted by Ruth Ware (One Excellent Couple) and Louise Minchin (Isolation Island) earlier than we headed on house (by way of a grocery store to choose up some Scottish contraband for work). I didn’t purchase all of the books however I did purchase a number of – Damaged Ghosts; Return To Blood; Isolation Island, The Property plus The Excellent Couple by Jane McLoughlin who was one of many Crime within the Highlight readers. Her e book sounded delightfully gothic so I couldn’t resist. I additionally picked up a proof of A Trial In Three Acts by Man Morpuss (06 March 2025) and a sampler of The Fort by John Sutherland (24 April 2025)
The Property; The Excellent Couple; A Trial In Three Acts; The Fort
Because it that wasn’t good sufficient, the beautiful Karen Sullivan gifted me a proof of Sufferer by Thomas Enger & Jørn Lier Horst. Sure, I’m a really blissful womble. And since I’m me, I purchased a couple of extra books for good luck. First was the preorder of John Sutherland’s The Fort (clearly), plus I handled myself to the primary e book in Marion Todd’s Clare Mackay collection, See Them Run; Rivers of London by Ben Aaronovitch; and e book one within the Hana Westerman collection by Michael Bennett; Higher The Blood, on each audio and book. I additionally e book the kindle model of All The Colors Of the Darkish by Chris Whitaker. I’ve been persuaded that it was the formatting of the e-proof that modified the studying of the e book, so I’ve bought a ‘correct’ copy to learn someday and see if it adjustments my ideas. PlusI was despatched an e-arc of the upcoming new Tyler and Mills novel from Mark L Fowler, Blood Orange, which is due out round October twelfth.
Rivers of London; Higher The blood; All The Colors of the Darkish
And that’s it. I do know. I need assistance (and extra bookcases).
Books I’ve learn
Useless To Her by Sarah Pinborough
The right couple…
When Marcie walked down the aisle to marry Jason Maddox, she knew her life would by no means be the identical once more. Charming, wealthy, good-looking – Jason may give her every part she’s ever wished.
The uninvited visitor…
However then Keisha arrives on the town, and Marcie realises her lifetime of luxurious might be snatched away. As a result of Keisha appears to know all of Marcie’s secrets and techniques – the surprising, the scandalous, and the downright sinful.
The battle for survival…
Marcie refuses to go down with no battle. The one query is – how far will she go to come back out on prime?
This Cursed Home by Del Sandeen (24 Oct)
Louisiana, 1962. The Duchon household has all the time been just a little totally different. Gentle-skinned sufficient to move as white, they’ve all the time felt superior to their black friends, ensconced of their palatial however decrepit New Orleans mansion.
In the meantime in Chicago, Jemma Barker is determined to flee one other winter within the freezing chilly – and the spirits she has all the time been in a position to see.
When Jemma receives an sudden job provide from the Duchon household, she will’t say sure quickly sufficient.
However it’s not lengthy earlier than Jemma realises she’s been lured south below false pretences. The Duchon household are trapped of their house by a curse – and so they have motive to imagine Jemma is the one who can break it.
And what’s extra, it seems Jemma didn’t handle to go away her ghosts behind in Chicago. And the spirits that hang-out the Duchon mansion have a message for her.
As she tries to grasp methods to break the curse, Jemma unravels deeper and extra disturbing secrets and techniques in regards to the Duchons and their damning previous. Secrets and techniques that stretch again past the grave. Secrets and techniques that tie her to the household’s destiny if she fails . . .
THERE’S NO SUCH THING AS A COINCIDENCE…
When the physique of a proficient photographer is discovered on the rocks beneath the ruins of Dunstanburgh Fort, DCI Ryan and his staff of detectives instantly suspect the worst. However, since none of their potential suspects appears to have a motive, the case runs chilly.
Then, when one other physique is discovered lifeless on a lonely stretch of highway close to Hadrian’s Wall and their solely suspect has an hermetic alibi, the staff are confronted with one other crime with no perpetrator.
With the variety of unexplained deaths within the space growing quickly and solely a collection of coincidences to work from, Ryan and his staff should discover the invisible hyperlink between them to crack the case—earlier than it’s too late.
Can Ryan remedy his most harmful case but?
Homicide and thriller are peppered with romance and humour on this fast-paced crime whodunnit, set amidst the spectacular Northumbrian panorama.
Everybody This Christmas Has A Secret by Benjamin Stevenson (24 Oct)
My identify is Ernest Cunningham.
I’m not a detective. I simply occur to have a knack for what makes mysteries – and murderers – tick. I’d hoped, this Christmas, that any killers on the market is perhaps prepared to take a break for the vacations.
I used to be improper.
So right here I’m, backstage on the Christmas present of world-famous magician Rylan Blaze, whose benefactor has simply been murdered. From the magician’s assistant to the hypnotist, my suspects are all skilled tricksters. Masters within the artwork of misdirection.
My clues are much more of a thriller:
A suspect lined in blood, with no reminiscence of the way it bought there.
A homicide dedicated with out setting foot contained in the room the place it occurs.
And an introduction calendar. As a result of, you realize. It’s Christmas.
Fixing the homicide is the one present I would like this yr. However can I catch a killer, and make it house for Christmas alive?
Higher The Blood by Michael Bennett
A DETECTIVE IN SEARCH OF THE TRUTH
Hana Westerman is a tenacious Māori detective juggling single motherhood and the pressures of her profession in Auckland’s Central Investigation Department. When she’s led to against the law scene by a mysterious video, she discovers a person hanging in a secret room. As Hana and her staff work to trace down the killer, different deaths lead her to suppose that they’re looking for New Zealand’s first serial killer.
A KILLER IN SEARCH OF RETRIBUTION
With little to go on, Hana should use all her expertise as a police officer to attempt to discover a motive to those apparently unrelated murders. What she finally discovers is a hyperlink to an historic crime that leads again to the brutal bloody colonisation of New Zealand.
A CLASH BETWEEN CULTURE AND DUTY
When the pursuit turns into frighteningly private, Hana realises that her heritage and data are their solely keys to discovering the killer.
THE PAST NEVER TRULY STAYS BURIED
However because the murders proceed, plainly the killer’s agenda of revenge might embody Hana – and her household . . .
WELCOME TO THE DARK SIDE OF PARADISE.
And that’s my lot. Don’t be too impressed although – two of these have been audiobooks consumed on the way in which to Stirling and again, and one other was began earlier than Monday. Ok although. My weblog was full all week too – recap under:
#Assessment – Strangers on a Bridge – Louise Mangos
#Assessment – For the Lacking – Lina Bengtsdotter
#Assessment – Homicide On A Nation Stroll – Katie Gayle
#Assessment – Damaged Ghosts – JD Oswald
#Assessment – Isolation Island – Louise Minchin
The week forward if fairly full two, together with two weblog excursions – Residing is a Downside by Doug Johnstone tomorrow, and The Torments by Michael J Malone on Wednesday. Two fabulous books and I can’t wait to share my ideas.
So that’s my week in a slightly massive nutshell. Are you able to see now why the put up is late? 🤣 Subsequent week can be slightly uninteresting and lightweight on books by comparability.
Hope you all have a really fortunately bookish week.
Jen x