The Sharp Edge of Silence by Cameron Kelly Rosenblum

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TW: sexual assault, harassment, manipulation, gaslighting, traumatic flashbacks

This was a searing and incredibly moving book that delves into the myriad emotions and reactions to sexual assault and toxic masculinity. It is a book that refuses to let accountability slip by.

Full review here.

Girl Forgotten by April Henry

🏳️‍🌈🧠💙

TW: death, murder, blood stalking, obsession

This was a fantastic true crime style book, complete with its own riveting podcast and cold case mystery slowly being uncovered. I thoroughly enjoyed reading it, particularly for how Henry delved into the ethics of this true crime boom.

Check out some very special content here, which I am incredibly excited about!

Let’s Play Murder by Kesia Lupo

⭐️🏳️‍🌈🧠

TW: death, murder, drowning, terminal illness

This was a book that I was entirely sold on through it premise – Agatha Christie meets virtual reality? Does anything else really need to be said?

Lupo has crafted a twisted little gem of a book that I highly recommend, with characters that you will not forget anytime soon.

Full review here.

Into the Light by Mark Oshiro

⭐️🏳️‍🌈🧠

TW: racism, homophobia, sexual assault, parental abuse, religious abuse, conversion therapy, neglect, parental rejection, teenage homelessness, child abuse, death, neglect, homelessness and predatory adults

Anger Is A Gift is one of my favourite books of all time. It was devastating, addictive and raw with incredible characterisation. Into the Light brings that same intensity, exceptional characterisation and compulsive writing and dials everything up to eleven. It forces readers to look at the devastating failures of the adoption system, the horrors of conversion therapy and the impact of religious trauma. 

Full review here.

The Cherished by Patricia Ward

TW: racism, gaslighting, toxic parent relationship, kidnapping, horrific portrayal of mental illness

This had the most amazing premise, but damn I was really let down. The mental illness representation was handled really badly and in a very out of date way, as well as some racist comments that just came out of nowhere. On top of this, it was not really horror – this is a YA fantasy through and through. Overall, a very big disappointment.

The Midnight Game by Cynthia Murphy

⭐️🏳️‍🌈🧠

TW: mentions of suicide, mentions of sexual assault, mentions of rape, murder, death

Murphy for me always hits that sweet spot of YA horror that just works. It has a highly entertaining plot, interesting use of urban legends and their games and some compelling characters. This all centres around the mystery of what is truly happening, leaving me with a chill on my skin. I will keep buying whatever Murphy writes.

Blood Debts by Terry J. Benton-Walker

⭐️🏳️‍🌈🧠

TW: lynching, murder, death, racism, abuse, sexual assault, gun violence, homophobia, gaslighting, manipulation, drug use

This has such an incredible magic system and power dynamics. I enjoyed how this was a mesh of fantasy, mystery and a dash of romance. The central whodunnit and whydunnit plot lines kept me hooked and the pacing of these was spot on. Benton-Walker keeps you guessing with plenty of brilliant plot twists. I think these especially thrived in the deeply personal revelations, with unexpected character connections and hidden motivations that upend everything.

Full review here.

The Bequest by Joanna Margaret

TW: death, murder, sexual assault, gaslighting, manipulation

I loved how much actual academia there was in this Dark Academia thriller, with plenty of research and intriguing historical interplay. The thriller aspects were also well done, with so many plot twists and turns that I was thoroughly entertained by. In particular, the way Margaret brings both historical and contemporary plotlines into play is fantastic.

The First Move by Jenny Ireland

🏳️‍🌈🧠💙

TW: drug use, overdose, death, grief, medical gaslighting, bullying, chronic pain

This was a pleasant surprise for me. Ireland combines a sweet and highly enjoyable YA romance with a raw and emotionally vulnerable look at grief, disability and the way your life can be changed forever by the tiniest thing. More people need to add this to their radar immediately.

Full review here.

Eyes Guts Blood Throat by Moira Fowley

🏳️‍🌈🧠

TW: death, murder, blood, graphic violence, child death, body horror, cannibalism

This was a deliciously dark collection of sapphic horror short stories. The writing felt lyrical, poetical and beautiful but also unrelenting dark and intense. I found moments of black humour in it all and surprising flourishes of hope. Unforgettable.

Full review here.

Love You to Death by Gina Blaxill

🏳️‍🌈🧠

TW: death, murder, stalking, obsession, manipulation, emotional abuse

Blaxill is quickly becoming a must-buy author for me. Between this riveting read and You Can Trust Me, she is establishing herself as a phenomenal mystery writer with a heavy focus on societal issues and a fierce brand of feminism.

Full review here.

H.A.W.K.S by M. A. Bennett

⭐️🧠

TW: death, murder, suicide, sexual assault, rape

I think sadly that this series just tailed off for me. The first three books were compulsive, slick examinations of class, privilege and power. Then everything just sort of fell apart for me. This conclusion is not particularly satisfying, I hated the romantic conclusions and it just did not feel as strong.

A Long Stretch of Bad Days by Mindy McGinnis

⭐️🏳️‍🌈🧠

TW: death, murder, missing teen, assault, violence, sexual assault, blood, alcohol and drug use, animal death, gun use, poverty

McGinnis is one of those authors that just never fails to completely sweep me away in her claustrophobic, tense and angry stories. This is no exception with an incredibly compelling storyline, interesting spin on true crime podcasts and twists that leave you reeling.

Full review here.