Freakslaw by Jane Flett

⭐️🏳️‍🌈🧠💙

CW: death, violence, fire, arson, homophobia, sexism, fatphobia, bigotry, physical abuse, domestic abuse, animal cruelty, abortion, body horror, transphobia

I had a lot of fun with the characterisation in this one and the way it captured that small-minded, sleepy small town setting. It had a great creeping sense of dread that added a sense of danger to proceedings. You could feel the fire starting to burn and yet you were still drawn to the flame.

Weyward by Emilia Hart

🧠🏳️‍🌈

CW: domestic abuse, violence, stalking, manipulation, emotional abuse, death, grief, rape, sexual assault, abortion, gaslighting, suicidal ideation

I loved Hart’s writing style and how atmospheric it was. It really drew me in and these central three women’s stories were engaging. However, I really did not like the ending and the message implied within.

Eat Slay Love by Julie Mae Cohen

🧠

CW: death, murder, violence, sexism, misogyny, manipulation, gaslighting, overdose, coercive control, domestic abuse, body shaming, gore, violence, blood, injury

This is a deliciously dark and compelling thriller that delivers brilliant characters and serrated plot twists that will keep you guessing.  I will say I went into this knowing very little beyond the cover, title and pitch I saw on social media. I would highly recommend doing the same, because you have one hell of a read in store. 

Full review here.

Ink Ribbon Red by Alex Pavesi

CW: death, murder, manipulation, violence, blood, injury, gun, suicide

This was such a tricksy thriller that really plays with the form. The pacing, plotting and characterisation were stellar. It is so masterfully put together. Go in knowing as little as you can and let Pavesi weave this tale before your eyes.

Full review here.

You All Die Tonight by Simon Kernick

CW: murder, violence, injury, death, grief, manipulation, torture, infidelity, gore

This was a tightly plotted, claustrophobic and atmospheric thriller that wonderfully plays with its locked room setting to reveal the secrets surrounding brutal murders from years ago. Kernick packs the pages with action and surprises, with some dastardly twists in store.

Full review here.

Hotel Lucky Seven by Kōtarō Isaka

⭐️

CW: murder, death, violence, gore, injury, blood, torture

I loved seeing how all these seemingly disparate threads come together and gradually reveal the bigger picture. This is a world that turns on lies and duplicity, meaning that plot twists often come thick and fast.

Full review here.

Everyone This Christmas Has a Secret by Benjamin Stevenson ⭐️🏳️‍🌈🧠💙

CW: death, murder, blood, injury, gore, violence, addiction

This delivers a lot in a small space, with tightly compacted plots and the same meta humour of the rest of the series. It has plenty of snark and irony, but there is also a real sense of heart and festive cheer buried in there somewhere. 

Full review here.

If They Knew by Sophie Flynn

🧠

CW: murder, death, violence, rape, drugging, manipulation, infertility, miscarriage

This was a highly enjoyable thriller with plenty of darkness and twists and turns that were unexpected. It has a great heart to it, contrasted by the intensity of this death and the backdrop of secrets behind it. Killer ending to boot.

Darkly by Marisha Pessl

⭐️🧠

CW: death, grief, death of a loved one, child death, fire, manipulation, gaslighting, abuse, neglect

This has such a fun concept and a wonderfully rich, twisted world to explore. I loved the sound of each of these games and the way they blurred reality and gameplay. Pessl’s writing is captivating and uncanny in equal measure, keeping you on an uneasy tightrope throughout.

Full review here.

The Black Girl Survives in This One

⭐️🏳️‍🌈🧠

CW: racism, death, murder, violence, body horror, gore, grief, death of a loved one, fatphobia, torture, blood

This was an incredible YA horror anthology full of secrets, surprises and scares. I loved how they put their own stamps on classic tropes of the genre. My favourites in this collection were Harvesters, The Ghost Light, Queeniums for Greeniums and Foxhunt but they were all solid reads.

Four Good Liars by Sarah Wishart

⭐️🏳️‍🌈🧠💙

CW: death, murder, car accident, injury, violence, manipulation, classism, illness

I enjoyed this YA mystery – it had good twists and turns and layered characterisation. Overall, I liked it but I was not a huge fan of the ending at first.

Rani Choudhury Must Die by Adiba Jaigirdar

⭐️🏳️‍🌈

CW: colourism, homophobia, cheating, manipulation, sexism, misogyny, gaslighting

Adiba Jaigirdar continues to raise the bar flawlessly. This was another smash-hit sapphic YA contemporary story that found a place in my heart. The characterisation was excellent as usual, with great plotting and pacing to boot.

Full review to come.

Feast While You Can by Mikaella Clements & Onjuli Datta

⭐️🏳️‍🌈🧠

CW: death, murder, racism, body horror, animal cruelty, manipulation, emotional abuse

This thrives on its dark and isolated atmosphere with such a creepy setting, perfectly capturing that sense of push and pull associated with a small hometown. Angelina and Jagvi occupy such different positions around their ideas of Cadenze. 

Full review here.

Agatha Christie’s Poirot: The Greatest Detective in the World by Mark Aldridge

This was a solid and enjoyable charting of the history of Poirot across his various stories, both in print and in other mediums. I appreciated the level of detail and research, as well as how carefully avoided spoilers so readers can discover Christie’s surprises themselves.

Phantom Hearts by Rosie Talbot and Sarah Maxwell

⭐️🏳️‍🌈🧠💙

CW: death, grief, homophobia, murder, transphobia, deadnaming, car accident

This was just wonderful. It is perfect reading for these darker nights, as the cold wind whistles and you want to cozy up with a good book and a hot drink. This is that good book you should be picking up. 

Full review here.

Leave the Girls Behind by Jacqueline Bublitz

⭐️🏳️‍🌈🧠

CW: death, murder, grief, sexual assault, rape, child death, harassment, stalking, grooming, manipulation, emotional abuse, physical abuse

I really liked the exploration of grief and trauma and how they permeate every aspect of Ruth’s life. She is trapped in this vicious moment, haunted by her past. This has led to an obsessive fascination with true crime, particularly violence against young girls.

Full review here.

Blood and Moonlight by Erin Beaty

🧠

CW: murder, death, violence, forced institutionalisation, sexism, misogyny, stalking, harassment , blood, gore, rape, sexual assault

This was pitched to me as a Young Adult fantasy Criminal Minds and in terms of the investigation, it delivered. I also enjoyed the nuance around mental health, particularly in a religious historical setting. I just would’ve preferred it as a standalone and without the central romance.

She’s Always Hungry by Eliza Clark

🏳️‍🌈🧠

CW: death, body horror, gore, sexual assault, manipulation, self-harm, suicide, misogyny, sexism

This was such a twisted treat. Clark explores that tantalising pull of desire in a range of forms of hunger, leaving that gnaw inside you. It was absolutely sublime.

Full review to come.

The Champions by Kara Thomas

CW: death, murder, drugging, sexual assault, rape, domestic violence

This was a well-constructed YA mystery that delves into some heavy topics with sensitivity and complexity. I enjoyed reading it but it felt a tad underwhelming.

Over My Dead Body by Maz Evans

⭐️🏳️‍🌈🧠💙

CW: death, murder, violence, addiction, rape, sexual assault, sexual harassment, death of a child, grief, cheating, bullying

This was full of wicked humour and a wonderful mystery. I loved the concept going in and it made use of it spectacularly. Now I am even more excited to read That’ll Teach Her.

The Christmas Eve Murders by Noelle Albright

⭐️

CW: murder, death, violence, blood, injury, grief

I really enjoyed this atmospheric festively set murder mystery. It is a locked room mystery with the additional factor of the harsh weather of winter trapping our characters in this remote location. The festive season never seemed so chilling.

Full review here.

The White Guy Dies First

⭐️🏳️‍🌈🧠

CW: murder, death, blood, gore, violence, racism, misogyny, abuse, attempted rape, cancer, stalking, generational trauma, body horror, bullying, transphobia

This was a pretty stellar horror anthology – it is stakced with powerhouse writers delivering their takes on classic horror tropes. I enjoyed every story, but my absolute favourites were All Eyes on Me, The Golden Dragon, Docile Girls, Everything’s Coming Up Roses and Gray Grove.