Gorgeous Gruesome Faces by Linda Cheng

⭐️🏳️‍🌈🧠

TW: death, murder, violence, suicide, self-harm, revenge porn, gore, violence, grief

This is a nightmare dressed as a daydream – specifically the dream of glamour and fame. Cheng excels at creating this atmospheric, suspenseful tone that oozes unease and tension. Every page feels like a knife edge.

Full review here.

The Nothing Man by Catherine Ryan Howard

TW: death, murder, serial killer, rape, torture, grief, violence, domestic abuse, sexual assault, suicide

This had an excellent premise and overall pretty good execution. The cat and mouse game throughout was very enjoyable, though the twists were a little predictable. A solid mystery read for me and I went on to read a fair few of Howard’s books.

Killer Instinct by Jennifer Lynn Barnes

TW: violence, death, murder, gore, serial killer, suicide, torture, abandonment, blood, child abuse, domestic abuse, emotional abuse, grief, gun violence, kidnapping, misogyny, physical abuse, stalking,

⭐️🧠

There is just something so addictive and enjoyable to me about this series – hence why I binged three of the books in October. We delve more into the backstory of here and it is a tragic and twisty case. Compulsive reading and gets better with each book so far.

Hercule Poirot’s ‘Silent Night’ by Sophie Hannah

TW: murder, death, terminal illness, manipulation, deception, poisoning, drugging, mental illness

This is exquisitely plotted, with layers upon layers of secrets, lies and connections that are eventually revealed to us. As always, Poirot seems to be that one step ahead of us with his ‘little grey cells’ noticing every minute detail. Hannah has woven a tight, intense and enjoyable story that I devoured. The set-up is incredibly intriguing and Hannah ensures it pays off in every possible way.

Full review here.

Nothing Sung and Nothing Spoken by Nita Tyndall

🏳️‍🌈🧠

TW: Nazis, fascism, Antisemitism, indoctrination, violence, death, execution , homophobia

Tyndall has this ineffable quality to their writing that I adore and creates compelling characters that I totally fall for. The central themes of this book are impactful, but the ending lost a bit of steam for me.

The Liar by Steve Cavanagh

TW: murder, death, violence, torture, arson, manipulation, alcoholism

As you may be able to tell, October was a month of mysteries and thrillers for me. Cavanagh’s writing was slick and stylish, creating a bingeable story that delighted in some excellent reveals. I will definitely read more Eddie Flynn stories.

Close to Home by Cara Hunter

TW: murder, death, kidnapping, child abuse, paedophilia, physical/mental/sexual abuse, self-harm, suicide

Hunter bowled me over with Murder in the Family earlier this year and I enjoyed Close to Home, which also played with different narrative methods and was a solid mystery with some interesting twists and turns. However, the ending knocked this down from a four to three star rating for me.

All In by Jennifer Lynn Barnes

⭐️🧠

TW: murder, death, child abuse, torture, violence, gore, self-harm, abandonment, blood, body horror, cults, domestic abuse, fire, grief, injury, panic attacks, physical abuse

I loved the change in setting for this next book in the series. The case was fascinating and I liked how we also get far more insight into the backstories of these characters and a sense of everything starting to draw together. Also, what a fantastic ending!

Run Time by Catherine Ryan Howard

TW: murder, death, violence, attempted murder suicide, sexual harassment, sexual assault, injury, blood

Howard’s style of writing is great and fantastically atmospheric, tense and Irish, but this was not my favourite of her offerings so far. The atmosphere, setting and tension were good, but the ending was a bit of a letdown and the twists were not that effective.

The Appeal by Janice Hallett

TW: suicide, murder, death, violence, abuse, Munchausen syndrome by proxy, mentions of cancer, rape, sexual assault, blood, mentions of vomiting, gambling addiction, fraud, death of a child 

After reading and loving The Christmas Appeal earlier in October, I needed a re-read of one of my favourite mysteries of all time. This is just such a phenomenal book. Also, there were more little details I picked up this time around, so I will be revisiting The Fairway Players again!

Six Stories by Matt Wesolowski

⭐️ (side character)

TW: murder, death, violence, bullying, ableism, harassment, obsession, drugging

This had an interesting narrative format, which I am often drawn to in mysteries. However, I hated the twist so much that it besmirched a lot of the book. The writing style also was not my favourite.

The Murder Game by Tom Hindle

TW: murder, death, violence, grief, infidelity, child death, accidental death

This was a solid take on the classic Golden Age locked room style mystery, with some deliciously juicy small town secrets being uprooted from the past. Hindle paced it well and it had a solid ending, with enjoyable twists.

Good Girls Don’t Die by Christina Henry

⭐️🏳️‍🌈🧠

TW: death, violence, gore, murder, gaslighting, manipulation, misogyny

Christina Henry’s work is always a delight to read and this deliciously meta genre smoothie of a thriller is no exception. This is a fantastic book, always with a slightly knowing nod but also a clear love for all genres involved. I was surprised at how empowering the book ultimately was and how it sits within that moral murkiness.

Full review here.

All That It Ever Meant by Blessing Musariri

⭐️🧠

TW: grief, death, death of a parent, misogyny, physical violence, car accident

There is something just so emotionally rich about this story. That feeling of hopelessness and rootlessness that comes from the death of a loved one is like nothing you can ever truly describe or depict but Musariri comes damn close. The depiction of grief is so multi-faceted, with each character experiencing many aspects of it and showing that difference is impactful. 

Full review here.

Totally Deceased by Sue Cunningham

🧠💙

TW: murder, death, violence, car collision, medical procedures, hospitalisation, injury, surgery

This is possibly one of my favourite YA mystery debut books of all time. It had such vivid characterisation, voices and such an excellent concept which Cunningham played around with brilliantly. The twists were fantastic and the ending was a heartfelt ode to living each moment as it comes.

Complicit by Winnie M Li

⭐️🧠

TW: rape, sexual assault, sexual harassment, eating disorders, racism, suicide attempt, misogyny, drug abuse

This was a ripped from the headlines kind of literary suspense novel – all mired in the murky reality of Hollywood exploitation and abuse. There is some intriguing and thought-provoking discussions to be had and Sarah is a fascinating & flawed protagonist.

Kingdom of the Feared by Kerri Maniscalco

TW: death, murder, torture, violence, injury, blood, self-harm for magic, grief, war, abandonment, fire, addiction, confinement

I just really did not like the swift and sharp turn this trilogy took into more of a romantasy than the mysterious whodunnit vibes of the original Kingdom of the Wicked. This just fell so flat for me.

Last Night at the Hollywood Canteen by Sarah James

🏳️‍🌈 ⭐️

TW: murder, death, addiction, homophobia, racism, exoticization, toxic relationship, injury

This is a murder mystery infused with the glamour, glitz and seedy underbelly of 1940s Hollywood. Everything is a facade, every move is to serve an ulterior purpose and image is everything. For me, this made for a gilded, glossy and tense mystery that I thoroughly enjoyed reading.

Full review here.

Day 56 by Catherine Ryan Howard

TW: murder, death, child death, accidental death, gaslighting, suicide, COVID, pandemic, lockdown, manipulation

I think this was one of the first books set in the COVID-19 pandemic I have read and it was well-executed for me. The plot was decent and the ending was pretty good, but some of the twists were slightly predictable and overall it wasn’t quite up there for me.

The Golden Spoon by Jessa Maxwell

⭐️🏳️‍🌈🧠

TW: death, murder, violence, rape, sexual assault, abuse of power, grief, gaslighting, childhood trauma, non consensual drug use, infidelity

A bit of Bake Off mixed with murder? Sounds like a success to me! This was a delectable, fast-paced and solidly enjoyable read. A slice of Golden Age cosy crime blended with the glossy facade of reality television and the myriad of dark secrets lurking beneath it all.