The Missing Family by Tim Weaver

🧠

TW: death, murder, violence, injury, kidnapping, rape, sexual assault

This was a fast paced thriller that took some truly unexpected twists and turns – I thoroughly enjoyed the character work and the entire reading experience. It more than lives up to that intriguing premise and then some.

The Last Song of Penelope by Claire North

⭐️(side characters)

TW: murder, death, violence, hanging, execution, sexual harassment, misogny

I have thoroughly enjoyed Claire North’s take on the story of Penelope and it wraps up in perfectly pitched fashion here. The decision to have each book narrated by a different goddess is inspired and here it is perfect & adds a wonderful new dimension to the story.

Moral Injuries by Christie Watson

🏳️‍🌈🧠⭐️

TW: murder, death, violence, abusive relationship, pysical abuse, coercive control, manipulation, stabbing

I was drawn in by that hook and those gripping opening pages, but Watson kept me with excellent characters and a close examination at abuse of power. It certainly is a different look at the medical field and I would read more from Watson.

Moth to a Flame by Finn Longman

⭐️🏳️‍🌈🧠💙

TW: death, murder, violence, gore, blood, injury, depression, PTSD, grief, past child abuse, traumatic flashbacks, unsafe sexual activity, drug use, alcohol abuse, self-destructive behaviours

This closes out a spectacular YA trilogy in suitably brilliant fashion. If you’ve not picked up these books by now, you’re missing out on amazing stories and unforgettable characters.

Full review here.

Now, Conjurers by Freddie Kölsch

⭐️🏳️‍🌈🧠💙

TW: murder, death, body horror, possession, grief, gore, addiction, child abuse, physical abuse, ableism, homophobia, violence

This is a blazing beacon of YA horror brilliance and an incredibly strong debut. Mr Nous is pure nightmare fuel that really got under my skin. I will definitely be picking up more of Kölsch’s work in the future.

Full review here.

A Game of Lies by Clare Mackintosh

🧠

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

As you can tell, I have been consuming many a good thriller recently and this was wonderfully addictive reading – cleverly plotted and with an intriguing concept. I have now added the first DC Morgan book to my TBR and plan to read it this summer!

Hell Followed With Us by Andrew Joseph White

⭐️🏳️‍🌈🧠💙

TW: death, graphic violence, parental death, grief, body horror, religious extremism, religious trauma, abuse, genocide, homophobia, transphobia, misgendering, deadnaming

This was my first book from AJW but it certainly will not be my last. Wonderfully wicked and wrathful body horror that delves into religious fanaticism in the apocalyptic days of disaster. The characterisation was stellar too.

Full review here.

The Thread That Connects Us by Ayaan Mohamud

⭐️🧠

TW: infidelity, racism, bullying, harassment, grief

The central characterisation was excellent and I enjoyed unweaving this fractured family’s story. Mohamud’s writing is excellent and emotionally intelligent. However, I was not a fan of how one plot thread wrapped up.

Bad Blood and Twelve by Jennifer Lynn Barnes (novella included in UK edition)

⭐️🏳️‍🌈🧠

TW: death, murder, violence, grief, cult, death of a loved one, torture, sexual assault, kidnapping, indoctrination, abuse

This was the deliciously dark conclusion to The Naturals series which I have enjoyed as a sort of YA Criminal Minds (a favourite show of mine). It is so bingeable and this perfectly wraps everything up.

Horror Movie by Paul Tremblay

🧠

TW: death, murder, violence, self-harm, suicide, suicidal ideation, burning, torture, terminal illness, grief, bullying

This was an incredibly unnerving book full of dread as you recount the infamous events of a cult horror film that never was. It is masterfully told and creeps under your skin.

Full review here.

The God of the Woods by Liz Moore

🏳️‍🌈🧠

TW: death, murder, grief, depression, institutionalisation, classism

Again, another mystery that drew me in with a tantilising hook and then crafted these amazingly complex characters. Moore very much sets the power of privilege in her sights in this quieter, complex and non linear narrative.

Full review here.

Two Sides to Every Murder by Danielle Valentine

🏳️‍🌈🧠

TW: death, murder, graphic violence, gore, injury, blood, grief, miscarriage, kidnapping

This was pure slasher brilliance. I adore a good horror narrative and this kept me racing through the pages – the set up was wonderful, the characters engaging and the plot relentless.

Full review here.

The Final Act of Juliette Willoughby by Ellery Lloyd

🧠

TW: murder, death, fire, arson, manipulation, classism, grief, abuse, stalking, PTSD, trauma

This was a great historical mystery that peeked into the world of the elite and exposed the darkness hidden within. I loved the way art played such a large role within the narrative as well.

Full review here.

Day’s End by Garry Disher

⭐️

TW: murder, death, facism, racism, hate crimes, far right indoctrination, COVID denial, conspiracy theories

This was an enjoyable and atmospheric mystery that explored the rise of the far right and fringe communities. It is terrifying in its realism. My only downside was the ending wasn’t the most impactful for me.

A Sea of Wolves by Sarah Street

🏳️‍🌈🧠💙

TW: death, murder, graphic violence, amputation, injury detail, manipulation

This was a fantastic and thoroughly enjoyable journey across the sea with curses, murder, messed up families and a bit of magic. It is an exceptional enemies to lovers arc as well.

Full review here.

It’s Only a Game by Kelsea Yu

⭐️🏳️‍🌈🧠

TW: murder, death, violence, blackmail, manipulation, emotional abuse, threat of violence to animals, fire

This was a fantastic and fast-paced YA debut thriller that has great characters and a plot that keeps you guessing throughout. Yu has got some real shocks up her sleeve in this clever, gaming infused tale.

Full review here.

Our Holiday by Louise Candlish

🏳️‍🌈

TW: murder, death, violence, classism, racism, homophobia, infidelity

Candlish explores the simmering tension between locals and rich holiday makers in this perfect summer mystery. You know from the start that it will have explosive consequences, but Candlish keeps you perfectly on edge throughout.

Full review here.

The Virtue Season by L. M. Nathan

💙

TW: ableism, eugenics, discrimination, sexual control, suicide, enslavement

I saw this at YALC and was massively intrigued – I mean, a dystopian Bridgerton style set up? That sounds fantastic. Luckily, it more than lived up to my expectations. This is such a dark dystopian concept and wonderfully imagined by Nathan.

Full review here.

Into the Taylor-Verse by Satu Hämeenaho-Fox

This was a really fun look through Taylor’s discography and charting her history through those albums, as well as doing a deep dive into one song from each album. The accompanying illustrations from Maddalena Carrai are beyond gorgeous as well.

Young Gothic by M. A. Bennett

⭐️🏳️‍🌈🧠💙

TW: murder, death, violence, guilt, grief, homophobia, blackmail, stalking, medical trauma, religious fanaticism, abuse

I was so in two minds about this because I think the concept is amazing and the mystery was really fun, with bucketloads of Gothic horror and intrigue. However, I didn’t love the actual reveal and I’m not sure I’ll continue the series.

The Familiar by Leigh Bardugo

⭐️🧠

TW: violence, death, torture, ethnic cleansing, anti-Semetism, religious trauma, infertility

I loved the writing of this, it was so evocative and the magic system was interesting and well imagined on page. However, I just didn’t feel as invested in the characters as I wanted to be and I did not enjoy the romance.

Your Time is Up by Sarah Naughton

⭐️🏳️‍🌈🧠

TW: violence, abuse, injury, attempted murder, blood, grief, death of a parent, manipulation, grooming

This had such a fantastic premise with the real time setting of the A Level exam and I think Naughton made great use of this. It was an engaging and enjoyable thriller narrative, with some great twists in store.

Every Move You Make by C. L. Taylor

🧠

TW: stalking, violence, murder, death, kidnapping, physical abuse, emotional abuse, coercive control

This was a twisty, dark thriller that kept me racing through the pages. It focuses on stalking and its insidious, terrifying nature. Taylor has crafted a whopper of a psychological thriller here with plenty of surprises in store.

Have You Seen This Girl by Nita Tyndall

⭐️🏳️‍🌈🧠

TW: death, mutilation, murder, hauntings, violence, kidnapping

Sid’s voice was excellent and the haunting elements added a lot to the story, I actually wanted more of this. However I felt like we didn’t fully get to see Sid as a character that much. The true crime ethical exploration was pitch perfect though, particuarly with the snippets of the victims’ narratives.