I Will Never Leave You by Kara A. Kennedy

🏳️‍🌈🧠

TW:  death, grief, emotional abuse, anxiety, panic attacks, death of a parent, abusive relationship

This was a wonderfully moving YA paranormal mystery that centres around breaking free from an abusive relationship. It is told with delicacy and nuance, giving time for characters to breathe amidst the chaos. I’m suitably intrigued by Kennedy.

Bury Your Gays by Chuck Tingle

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TW: death, violence, murder, gore, graphic violence, body horror, homophobia, bullying, child abuse

This was a bloody brilliant book. It explores the titular trope, queer joy and pinkwashing, while also exploring creative freedom and the exploitation of creativity and representation by huge corporations. Tingle drenches it in blood and guts and gore.

Full review here.

One Killer Problem by Justine Puclla Winans

🏳️‍🌈🧠💙

TW: murder, death, grief, homophobia, stalking, blood, injury, fire, misgendering

This was such a fun and well-plotted YA mystery with plenty of dark humour and a nice meta examination of the mystery structure. It had some great twists and turns & the characterisation was fabulous – I loved how queer it was and how developed the characters were by the end.

The End Crowns All by Bea Fitzgerald

⭐️🏳️‍🌈🧠💙

TW: death, violence, injury, sexual harassment, war, gore, sacrifice, gore, rape, sexual coercion, sexual assault, ableism, misogny, suicide, manipulation, emotional abuse

This was an incredible sapphic reimagining of Helen and Cassandra. It completely redefines your expectations of these characters and creates a bold and beautiful new tale that tackles rape culture, the patriarchal myth of beauty and weaving your own narrative. I absolutely loved it.

Full review here.

Death at Morning House by Maureen Johnson

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TW: death, murder, grief, death of a child, eugenics, suicidal ideation, mention of suicide, violence, fire, arson

Johnson has concocted something to whet your mystery loving appetite. This is a great standalone mystery – pivoting across two timelines to create two compelling and complex cases. It is the YA mystery of the summer, potentially the year. Miss it at your peril.

Full review here.

Guilty by Definition by Susie Dent

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TW: death, murder, grief, disappearance, grooming, manipulation

This was simply a marvel. It is a fiendishly clever mystery, packed with twists and turns and delightfully interesting wordplay that introduced me to a whole new lexicon it felt like at times. Do not miss this brilliant book.

Full review here.

The Blonde Dies First by Joelle Wellington

⭐️🏳️‍🌈

TW: death, murder, gore, violence, possession, racism, classism, gentrification, homophobia, sexual harassment

This is magnificent in its murderous mayhem. It is pure slasher gold and should definitely be gracing your shelves.  Wellington continues this winning streak here, proving that great characterisation and delectably dark tales are a hallmark of her work.

Full review here.

Queen B by Juno Dawson

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TW: death, execution, fire, grief, homphobia

I enjoyed this witchy take on Anne Boleyn – filled with sapphic yearning, complicated relationships and a hefty dose of manipulation. It’s a fun and engaging story that adds history and further context to Dawson’s ongoing series.

Le Fay by Sophie Keetch

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TW: death, violence, murder, grief, misogyny, manipulation

I adored Morgan is My Name and was super excited to snap up this sequel. I still think the characterisation and writing were gorgeous, but it just felt slightly static for me this time around. Still looking forward to the next book though!

How Can I Help You by Laura Sims

TW: death, murder, violence, fire, arson, child abuse

This was a spine-tingling game of cat and mouse that got ever more dark and twisted. It uses its intriguing premise to its full potential, resulting in a book you are unable to tear yourself away from.

Full review here.

The Wilds by Sarah Pearse

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TW: death, murder, abuse, emotional abuse, physical assault, manipulation, gaslighting, coercive control

I really liked the character of Elin Warner and would be interested to read more book centered around her. This was a twisty and pacy thriller that had some shocking reveals and some exquisite atmosphere & characterisation.

The Eyes Are The Best Part by Monika Kim

⭐️🏳️‍🌈🧠

TW: body horror (specifically a lot around eyes), violence, death, murder, racism, sexism, misogyny, assault, cannibalism

There is just something I adore about complex characters that compel you to keep reading their story – drawing you in and making you complicit in their actions. This was the type of book that makes you squirm a little and I loved it.

Full review here.

I Was a Teenage Slasher by Stephen Graham Jones

⭐️🧠

TW: death, violence, murder, gore, graphic violence, sexual assault, bullying, animal death

This was a horrifying look at fate and being unable to break a continuous cycle of violence. It was raw and heart-breaking in its tragedy as much as it was mired in blood and guts. Wonderful work from a master of the genre.

Full review here.

How to Survive Your Murder by Danielle Valentine

⭐️🏳️‍🌈 (side character)

TW: death, murder, violence, gore, manipulation, abuse of power, cheating, grooming

I was bitterly disappointed in the ending of this book. Horror can absolutely have ambiguity but it simply wasn’t resolved. Great premise and enjoyable up until the final third.

All The Hidden Monsters by Amie Jordan

🏳️‍🌈 (side characters)🧠

TW: death, murder, violence, injury, grief, guilt

I really enjoyed this supernatural mystery. It has an excellent plot, with great pacing and characterisation. I found myself rooting for the building romance and led down some rabbit holes in search of the truth. Excited to see where this may lead in the future.

Redemption by Jack Jordan

⭐️🏳️‍🌈🧠

TW: death, grief, death of a child, addiction, imprisonment, murder, violence, vigilantism

This had an intriguing premise and reading it felt like balancing on a knife edge – the tension was immaculate and all-consuming. It is an unimaginable dilemma, richly imagined on page and given pathos and humanity. You raced through the pages as new twists were unveiled.

Murder on a Summer Break by Kate Weston

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TW: death, murder, violence, misogyny, manipulation

Kate Weston just knows how to have that perfect balance of humour and mystery. Murder on a School Night was excellent, but this sequel was an exceptional follow up. I would read many, many more adventures with the Tampon Two.

Full review here.

Medici Heist by Caitlin Schneiderhan

⭐️🏳️‍🌈🧠

TW: death, violence, murder, death of a parent, grief, homophobia

This was a fun romp of a book. I’m always drawn to heist narratives and this one boasted great characters and a more political dimension to it that I loved. There were some excellent twists and turns in this & it was overall a wonderfully entertaining read.

A Curse of Salt by Sarah Street

🏳️‍🌈 (side character)

TW: blood, violence, injury, death, murder

Having recently loved Sea of Wolves, I had to pick up the first in the series and this was a wonderfully rich and romantic story, still filled with the darkness and bloodshed of the other title. These books are somehow infused with these relationships that grow wonderfully and have ever changing dynamics.

So Witches We Became by Jill Baguchinsky

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TW: rape, sexual assault, misogny, victim blaming, abusive relationship, homophobia, emotional abuse, manipulation, violence, gore, body horror, death, murder, injury, fire

This is the type of book that seethes with rage and breaks your heart. It is a deeply angry book – delving into rape culture and victim blaming. However, it is also very much a narrative around reclaiming your own narrative and power.

Full review here.

Seven Lively Suspects by Katy Watson

TW: death, murder, infidelity, violence, mentions of suicide

I have such a soft spot for the Three Dahlias and I just adore their mysteries every time – they hit that cosy crime and Golden Age style that I love with a modern sensibility. We turn to a book festival here for their latest outing, where long-held secrets are finally brought into the light.

Full review here.

Gentlest of Wild Things by Sarah Underwood

🏳️‍🌈🧠💙

TW: ableism, abuse, sexual harassment, sexual abuse, rape, drugging, manipulation, sexism, homophobia, blood, violence, death, murder, physical abuse, gaslighting

Underwood’s prose is just sumptuous and screams with rage, but also softens with love and hope. This is an incredible, original YA fantasy romance that draws on elements of Greek mythology.

Full review to come.