Recent Reads #123

As ever, today I will be briefly reviewing all the books I’ve read since my last post in approximately fifty words.

I want to share my full thoughts on some of these books in the future, so I’ll share a brief idea today with the full review to come.

Leave No Trace by Jo Callaghan

⭐️🧠

CW: death, murder, crucifixion, torture, rape, sexual assault, drugging, misogyny, racism, self-harm, suicidal ideation, suicide, grief

This was one of my favourite thrillers I’ve read this year with a fantastic concept, great plotting, twists and a heartfelt exploration of grief that really landed with me.

Artificial Wisdom by Thomas R. Weaver

⭐️🧠

CW: death, murder, manipulation, gaslighting, racism, grief

This lived up to its fantastic premise with a tense read where you’re never entirely sure who you can trust. Timely, packs a punch and sure to be one of the most talked about thrillers this summer.

Full review here.

She Didn’t See It Coming by Shari Lapena

This was my first read from Lapena but it certainly will not be the last. This was a domestic nightmare brought to life – compelling, pacy and packed full of great twists.

The Unspeakable Acts of Zina Pavlou by Eleni Kyriacou

⭐️🧠

CW: murder, death, fire, xenophobia, racism, misogyny

This was a great historical crime read where you’re caught in a story mired in lies and looking at the justice system’s failings for those considered outsiders. Superb characterisation and kept me hooked throughout.

Not Quite Dead Yet by Holly Jackson

🧠💙

CW: death, murder, grief, gun violence, traumatic injury, fire, hospitalisation

I knew I would devour Jackson’s adult debut and it was as tightly plotted and unputdownable as I would have expected. A phenomenal concept executed wonderfully and with Jackson’s signature stellar characterisation to boot.

Full review to come.

In The Blink of An Eye by Jo Callaghan

⭐️🧠💙

CW: death, murder, violence, terminal illness, grief, racism

This is the first in the Kat and Lock series and it cemented Jo Callaghan as a new favourite for me. An ingenious concept delivered wonderfully and a twisty, tightly plotted story.

Bury Your Friends by Benjamin Dean

⭐️🏳️‍🌈🧠

CW: death, murder, violence, gore, gaslighting, manipulation, racism, classism, homophobia

I have been eagerly anticipating this book since hearing the opening dedication and it did not disappoint. It is darkly hilarious with fantastic characterisation and wonderful twists and turns – an ode to slashers with Dean’s signature flair.

Full review here.

Life of Zanna by Emily Jane Hodgkin

CW: death, murder, violence, blood, sexism, harassment, cheating

I enjoyed this deep dive into influencer culture and the reality that may be lurking behind the filters. The documentary excerpts were interesting, but the central plot felt a little predictable and well-trodden.

The Wicked Lies of Habren Faire by Anna Fiteni

🏳️‍🌈🧠

CW: death, violence, imprisonment, gaslighting, manipulation, classism, misogyny, sexism

This was a beautifully written YA fantasy steeped in Welsh history and folklore. It is a really interesting addition to the genre and an impressive debut.

Full review to come.

Murder in Harrogate

⭐️

CW: death, murder, violence, blood

This fed the post-Harrogate craving I had with a wonderfully put-together anthology of dark stories and horrible deeds. An excellent short story collection for crime aficionados.

The Manor of Dreams by Christina Li

⭐️🏳️‍🌈🧠

CW: death, murder, violence, homophobia, racism, classism, domestic abuse, gaslighting, manipulation

This was a wonderfully written Gothic nightmare of a book – the way the setting aborbs the violence of the past and present is delightfully creepy. Li does subtle horror touches so well but the monstrosity is very much rooted in humanity.

Something Happened to Ali Greenleaf by Hayley Krischer

⭐️🧠

CW: rape, sexual assault, intoxication, violence

This was heart-breakingly raw and honest in its depiction of rape culture with complex characterisation and will land with a lot of readers. I just wasn’t completely on board with the ending.

The House of Quiet by Kiersten White

⭐️🏳️‍🌈🧠💙

CW: death, murder, violence, torture, classism, imprisonment, manipulation

A Gothic horror X-Men-esque tale that will stay with you longer after the final page. White proves once again that her brand of darkly entrancing horror sends shivers down your spine as the pieces start to come together.

Full review here.

To Love a Liar by L. V. Matthews

🧠

CW: death, murder, violence

This constantly kept me guessing and wanting to turn the pages to uncover the truth. Every chapter added a new layer and twisted where you may have thought the story was going a little more. A thoughtful look at the secrets we bury and how they may come back for their reckoning.

Hot Wax by M. L. Rio

🏳️‍🌈🧠

CW: death, grief, violence, manipulation, addiction

Written with Rio’s signature stylings, this is a fantastic look at the realities of the hedonism of stardom and the cost of pursuing greatness. Three-dimensional characterisation and a pulsing tension that never dissipates.

Full review to come.

No Friend To This House by Natalie Haynes

CW: death, murder, violence, rape, sexual assault, misogyny, sexism

This continues Haynes’ panoramic style of retellings that gives you the entire context for the cast of characters that play a role in the myth, however hidden or previously overlooked this may be. I felt the pacing was a little mismatched, though the final third was sublime.

The Vanishing Act by Jo Jakeman

🏳️‍🌈🧠

CW: death, murder, violence

Jakeman is such a skilled writer with this pacy, compelling story that opens with a bang and ends in explosive fashion. Parts in between weren’t quite as strong for me, but that conclusion really pulled it back.

The Forsaken and the Fated by Camilla Raines

⭐️🏳️‍🌈🧠

CW: death, violence, murder, imprisonment

I loved The Hollow and the Haunted and was eagerly waiting for the conclusion of this duology. Overall, it was well done – the addition of new characters was great and the finale was spectacular. I think I slightly preferred the first book though in terms of pacing.

Empty Heaven by Freddie Kölsch

⭐️🏳️‍🌈🧠

CW: death, violence, murder, PTSD, sexual abuse, grooming, paedophilia, suicide, gore

This was such a fantastic and devastating read. I had high expectations from enjoying Now Conjurers so much and Kölsch absolutely smashed them. It is an unnerving, atmospheric read with moments of dark comedy threaded in too.

Full review here.

Whiteout by R. S. Burnett

🧠

CW: death, murder, violence, suicide

The plotting and pacing in this was incredible with an intensity that made it impossible to put down. Burnett turns an intriguing concept into a compact and compelling story with whiplash-inducing twists.

The Rebel and the Rose by Catherine Doyle

⭐️🏳️‍🌈

CW: death, violence, gore, murder, blood, manipulation, gaslighting, grief, domestic abuse

This reminded me just how great YA fantasy can be. It builds on the excellence delivered in The Dagger and the Flame to deepen the magic systems, world-building and political machinations – fleshing out the world and the characters. Doyle knows what she did with those twists too. I need the next book immediately.

Full review here.