One of the Good Guys by Araminta Hall

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TW: death, grief, rape, sexual assault, infertility, toxic relationships, abusive relationship, divorce, miscarriages, animal death, death of parent, gaslighting, misogynistic behavior, domestic abuse, violence, grooming, abusive mother, child sexual abuse

This was a knotty deliciously dark little book, though I was split slightly by the overall reveal. I loved the narrative switch and the way the manipulation and gaslighting was unpicked. It truly matches its title in the insidious nature of that phrase.

Sometimes People Die by Simon Stephenson

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TW: murder, death, grief, addiction, suicide, drug use, injury, medical trauma, violence, blood

God, I loved this book. For me it was kind of like This Is Going To Hurt but leveled up – it had that same bleak humour in the face of a broken healthcare system, emotional integrity and impact and ultimately tragedy. It was gritty and grounded, allowing you to get entirely caught up in the unnamed narrator’s life. 

Full review here.

Butter by Asako Yuzuki

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TW: murder, death, grief, fatphobia, sexual assault, grooming, manipulation, paedophilia, diet culture, misogny, sexism

This is such a stunning book. The prose is excellent and totally captivating. It is about the preparation of food and the love that represents, as well as the various emotions we might associate with a certain meal or type of food. However, this is also very much a story about appetites in a wider sense, sometimes spilling over into obsession and indulgence. There is a wonderful exploration of desires and being able to pursue your own until you are fulfilled. 

Full review here.

The Favourite by Rosemary Hennigan

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TW: death, grief, sexual assault, rape, grooming, abuse of power

I really wanted to enjoy this Dark Academia thriller and I did love Jessie’s fractured, flawed voice. The classroom discussions were also superb. However, something just fell flat for me overall. It lacked that spark that makes me fall head over heels in love with a book.

Dead Girls Walking by Sami Ellis

⭐️🏳️‍🌈🧠

TW: death, murder, emotional abuse, physical abuse, child abuse, PTSD, suicidal ideation, blood, vomit, fire, gore, religious abuse, traumatic flashbacks, branding, skeletons, violence, cannibalism, bullying, ableist language, gun violence, police brutality, terminal illness, transphobia (taken from TW list at the start of the book)

I went in expecting some carnage and I was delivered it. This is not a book that plays around. It is is up to its shoulders in blood and gore with some scenes that I definitely think rank up there with some iconic horror scenes. Ellis’ twists are exceptional as well. There are several moments where I audibly gasped and I am really excited for more people to discover the dark layers of this book. 

Full review here.

Day One by Abigail Dean

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TW: death, murder, child death, grief, school shooting, suicide, grooming, domestic abuse

Dean’s writing is just incredibly captivating and reads like your favourite thriller TV series brought to the page. This is a devastating, complex look at the fallout of a tragedy on the local community and people involved. Dean holds no punches back.

Full review here.

Dead Animals by Phoebe Stuckes

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TW: rape, sexual assault, murder, death, controlling relationships, emotional abuse, gaslighting, sexism, sexual harassment, body horror

This book seethed with rage. Stuckes had such an interesting, poignant way of depicting trauma and horror through a skewed lens that I adored. It was a tough and menacing read that carved out a brilliant story.

Full review here.

The Doomsday Date by Faridah Àbíké-Íyímídé

⭐️🏳️‍🌈🧠

This was such a fun, hope-inducing and joyful short read. It was excellent in its characterisation and dynamics in a very short space. Faridah’s work just always shines for me.

A Season for Scandal by Laura Wood

⭐️🏳️‍🌈🧠

TW: death, grief, sexism, sexual assault, harassment, misogny, domestic abuse, manipulation

I really enjoyed returning to the Aviary and this feminist, fierce Regency romance meets mystery series. Wood smashes it out of the park again with a swoon-worthy and strident book that carries an important message of self-love and carving out your own path in life. Also, I require a Sylla spin-off immediately.

The Dream Home by T. M. Logan

TW: murder, death, fire, stalking, kidnapping, blackmail

Logan hits the nail on the head for the realm of perfectly believable, slowly escalating tension that grows into these increasingly bizarre and dangerous events. The plot builds in a creeping fashion, but without sacrificing momentum and pace. Adam’s obsession sucks you right in and makes you share this curious but slightly paranoia headspace, wanting to uncover every mystery hidden within the house.

Full review here.

Murder Road by Simone St James

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TW: death, murder, gore, violence, bloodshed, PTSD, traumatic flashbacks, grief, abandonment

St James’ writing is brilliant and this concept was amazing. Overall, it mostly paid off with a dark and twisty plot centering around generational trauma and forgotten victims, with an interesting take on ghosts and hauntings. However, I wasn’t a huge fan of the final twist.

Never Saw Me Coming by Vera Kurian

⭐️🧠

TW: murder, death, serial killer, gore, violence, sexual assault, rape, child sexual assault, drugging, suicide, fire, Antisocial Personality Disorder

This was such an excellent read. Kurian’s background shines through in the complexity of this story and the way mental health issues are depicted. This was such a twisty book full of characters that you simply cannot trust. At its centre is Chloe who will stop at nothing to achieve her mission. She was a character I loved to hate and still loved sometimes.

The Traitor in the Game by Triona Campbell

⭐️🏳️‍🌈🧠💙

TW: murder, death, PTSD, grief, flashbacks, terminal illness, death of a loved one, blood, violence, gore

I loved A Game of Life or Death but this was a true level up.  My heart was in my mouth for most of the final third of this book. It was so well built up to, with pacing that kept you glued to the page. I was not prepared for just how explosive these twists would be though. Campbell hits you with them thick and fast, but they still have a massive impact. Like Asha, you are overwhelmed and deeply hurt by the revelations. 

Full review here.

Nothing Without Me by Helen Monks Takhar

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TW: death, murder, sexual assault, rape, gaslighting, emotional abuse, manipulation, online bullying, sexism, sexual harassment, abuse of power

This was an interesting thriller with a view of ripping down the glitzy curtain of fame to expose a corrupt underbelly. It pulsates with anger and has some excellent rug-pullers of twists. However, I was not enamoured with the overall ending and think it dulled the impact slightly for me.

The Atlas Complex by Olivie Blake

⭐️🏳️‍🌈🧠

TW: death, suicide, murder, cancer, grief, gun violence, blood, death of a parent

This is a tricky one, as it was one of my most anticipated reads of the year. I enjoyed the final third but we meandered a lot to get there without that much impact or much character development for me. The ending was good, but I do feel like some twists were a little dulled by some inferences. Overall, it sits in the middle of the road for me.

Clickbait by L. C. North

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TW: death, murder, sexism, sexual harassment, abuse, death of a parent, grief, suicide, body shaming, emotional abuse, gaslighting, manipulation, stalking, threats, eating disorders

This was a truly brilliant thriller. I adore a multi-media narrative and this was used to excellent effect here, focusing on how narratives can be twisted and manipulated. It is particularly prevalent in the age of child social media stars, providing a timely look at fame and its ramifications. What a jaw-dropper of an ending too.

Full review here.