Lady Macbeth by Ava Reid

TW: death, murder, rape, sexual assault, harassment, sexism, misogny, torture, injury details

God I wanted to love this book but sadly it fell far from my lofty expectations. Reid’s writing was still as sumptuous as ever. However, the characterisation was severely lacking for me.

Our Wicked Histories by Amy Goldsmith

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TW: death, murder, grief, drowning, obsession, classism, reference to suicide, child death

This was such a spine-tingling speculative horror mystery that I gobbled up greedily. The characterisation and atmosphere were stellar, with some great twists and shifting dynamics.

Full review here.

Not for the Faint of Heart by Lex Croucher

⭐️🏳️‍🌈🧠

TW: death, grief, injury, sexism, homophobia, abandonment, maniulation

This was such a fun read. It had excellently flirty dynamics that built from enemies to lovers and a touching exploration of legacy, expectations and found family.

Full review here.

Blood Sugar by Sascha Rothchild

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TW: death, murder, grief, attempted rape, infidelity, addiction, pet death, violence

I must admit, I’m drawn to books full of rage and with unconventional protagonists. This book certainly delivers both in spades with an arresting voice that will not let you go.

The List of Impossible Things by Jennie Godfrey

⭐️🧠

TW: murder, death, domestic violence, abusive relationship, racism, child abuse, sexism, misogny, harassment, grief

I absolutely adored this coming of age tale with the backdrop of the Yorkshire Ripper. It’s a character focused, intimate look at the loss of innocence and clever social commentary of Thatcher’s Britain and how close it sits to now.

Such Charming Liars by Karen McManus

🏳️‍🌈🧠

TW: death, murder, gun violence, physical violence, domestic abuse, blood, attempted suicide, catfishing

McManus just knows how to deliver the goods. This is a high stakes mystery full of deception and lies, where you can never fully trust anything. I love a good heist and this lives up to its premise.

Full review here.

Last Seen Online by Wren James

🏳️‍🌈🧠💙

TW: death, murder, stalking, obsession, incarceration

I just adored the interplay between fandom and reality that characterisated this mystery. It really digs into parasocial relationships and the pitfalls of true crime obsession.

Full review here.

Bad Tourists by Caro Carver

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TW: murder, death, violence, blood, grooming, manipulation, animal death, coercive control, gaslighting, physical abuse, domestic abuse

This is delectably dark reading filled with sunshine and secrets. In short, it is the perfect holiday mystery – though a sudden chill may come over you despite the tropical climates. 

Full review here.

Silent Sister by Megan Davidhizar

🏳️‍🌈 (side characters)🧠

TW: murder, death, grief, self-harm, suicide, paedophilia, grooming, manipulation

This was an excellent YA thriller that made good use of its dual narrative, drawing us into the story of Grace and Maddy. It is well paced with good tension, atmosphere and characterisation.

Full review here.

This Ravenous Fate by Hayley Dennings

⭐️🏳️‍🌈🧠

TW: violence, death, murder, gore, racism, emotional abuse, suicidal idealation, grief, anxiety, OCD, PTSD, blood

A thrilling mystery and a sapphic vampire and vampire hunter pairing in a Harlem Renaissance setting? Sign me up! Dennings delivers on that excellent premise in this haunting story about love, family and legacy.

Full review here.

The Voyage Home by Pat Barker

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TW: death, murder, grief, child death, war, sexism, harassment, rape, sexual assault, manipulation, violence, injury

Barker brings us the final instalment in her The Women of Troy trilogy, focusing on the enslaved Ritsa, Cassandra and Clytemnestra. It is tragic, it is bold and it is unforgettable. Barker’s characterisation is incredible.

Full review here.

The Ugly Truth by L. C. North

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TW: death, grief, suicide, suicidial ideation, forced institulisation, self-harm, sexism, misogny, stalking

This story is ripped from the headlines, telling a tragic tale of celebrity and fame that may also hint towards a darker side of control and obsession. I loved North’s use of multi media to tell the narrative, reflecting the way famous figures are constantly scrutinised from all sides and the truth has to be found somewhere within.

Look What You Made Me Do by Kat McKenna

This was such a wonderful love letter to fandom and an ode to the power of teenage girls. It also delves into the dark side of this with some interesting discussion points.

Five by Five by Claire Wilson

🏳️‍🌈🧠

TW: murder, death, injury, violence, PTSD, flashbacks, anxiety

This prison-set thriller is full of intrigue and many moving parts to keep track of. I really enjoyed Kennedy Allardyce and her unique perspective as someone policing the prison system. This was a solid debut from a new voice to keep an eye on.

Heads Will Roll by Josh Winning

🏳️‍🌈🧠

TW: death, murder, gore, violence, child abuse, physical abuse,  decapitation, cancer, injury, addiction, homophobia, bullying

This was the kind of horror that keeps you glued to the page in fear and suspense. It was delightfully creepy and dark, full of slasher goriness and excellent characters.

Full review here.

The Examiner by Janice Hallett

⭐️🏳️‍🌈🧠💙

TW: murder, death, violence, ableism, infidelity, disappearance

Wow, this just may be one of my top five mysteries of the year. Hallett delivers her distinctive style with a fiendish and tricksy story that has plenty of secrets up its sleeves. It certainly delivers top marks for murder.

Full review here.

Queen Macbeth by Val McDermid

🏳️‍🌈🧠

TW: death, murder, violence, grief, sexism, homophobia, misogny

McDermid just has such a compelling way of delivering great characters and atmosphere. We deal with a lot in these few pages and it is ferocious and an interesting take on the story we may all think we know.

The Liars by Katherine Fleet

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

This was an excellent mystery, perfect for summer reading. It sizzles with suspense and tension as we move between Then and Now. I liked the theme of being doomed to repeat the mistakes of our past, the interweaving of Greek mythology and this luscious setting. Fleet keeps you on your toes with secrets and fractured family dynamics.

Girls Who Burn by MK Pagano

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TW: death, murder, stalking, grooming, blackmail, mentions of suicide, violence, injury

This is a spine-tingling thriller with a dash of romance and bucket loads of atmosphere & suspense, perfect for those hot summer nights.

Full review here.

The Murder After the Night Before by Katy Brent

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TW: murder, death, violence, sexism, misogny, sexual assault, cyberbullying, death threats, harassment, gaslighting, grief, anxiety, depression, death of a parent, infidelity

This was a brilliant thriller, looking at online shaming and particuarly how it interwines with sexism – there is an inherent danger to being a woman online with vile comments and victim-blaming. Brent’s voice and characterisation are great too.

Drown Me With Dreams by Gabi Burton

⭐️🧠

TW: murder, death, genocide, grief, war, violence, injury, flashbacks, PTSD,  blood, physical injuries, burns, racism, sexual harassment

This is a fantastic follow up to the dark, thrilling and complex Sing Me to Sleep. Burton pushes the character development further as Saoirse steps into her power more. We also get a rich expansion of the world, mythology and history that I adored. I still love the central romance too.

Very Bad Company by Emma Rosenblum

⭐️🏳️‍🌈

TW: murder, death, violence, drug use, addiction, infidelity, sexism

This was a slick and sharp-edged thriller that skewers corporate culture at an elite level. It is full of scheming, back-stabbing, scandal and secrets. All of this makes for an addictive read.

Full review here.

No Way Out by Cara Hunter

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TW: death, child death, fire, arson, abuse, grief, dementia, postpartum depression

The more Adam Fawley books I read, the more I enjoy them. This took us to one of the darkest cases possible and gave us such a compelling storyline, with plenty of great character development. Love the references to previous cases as well.

The Short Straw by Holly Seddon

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TW: death, disappearance, grief, injury

This was a solid mystery that was thoroughly enjoyable and focused on a fractured family dynamic that explores long-hidden secrets. Great use of setting and atmosphere too.

Mistress of Lies by K. M. Enright

⭐️🏳️‍🌈🧠

TW: death, murder, patricide, racism, blood, injury, manipulation, mind control, violence, child abuse, rape, experimentation

This is a scheming, duplicitous book full of blood and lies. It has such an interesting take on vampirism and focuses on political intrigue, court dynamics and the pursuit of power above all else.

Full review here.

The Crimson Crown by Heather Walter

🏳️‍🌈🧠

TW: death, murder, sexism, sexual harassment, homophobia, grief

Walter entranced me with Malice and Misrule and now turns her eye to Snow White in this darkly entrancing retelling, mixed with elements of Tudor history. Ayleth’s character arc is so compelling and builds wonderfully. That ending is brilliantly done and I’m excited to see where we go next.

Some Like It Cold by Elle McNicoll

⭐️🏳️‍🌈🧠💙

TW: ableism, infidelity, manipulation, gaslighting

This just warmed my heart. It is a wonderful romantic story full of love, particularly with learning to love yourself and believing you can be the main character of your own life. It is just exceptional.

Full review here.

All The Devils by Catelyn Wilson

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TW: death, murder, grief, sacrifice, cancer

I love a Dark Academia mystery and Wilson delivers one full of atmosphere and fantasy elements. This is exquisitely crafted with great characterisation and a riveting plot line – loved the mythological aspects.

How to Kill a Guy in Ten Ways by Eve Kellman

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TW: death, murder, violence, rape, sexual harassment, sexual assault, child abuse, paedophilia, sexual abuse, physical abuse, domestic violence, sexism, misogny

I really enjoyed the voice and the unashamedly rageful actions throughout this book – it revels in the unlikeability and sits uncomfortably in the horror intentionally. I just disliked one aspect of the ending.