These Dreaming Spires

⭐️🏳️‍🌈🧠💙

CW: death, murder, suicide, homophobia, racism, ableism, body horror, gore

This is a treasure trove of talent with stories that will surprise and delight you even as they may send shivers down your spine. All of these writers make the most out of the short space they have. These stories are sharp and slick with fascinating takes on the genre that push the boundaries.

Full review here.

The Mean Ones by Tatianna Scholte-Bonne

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CW: death, murder, violence, gore, manipulation, PTSD, traumatic flashbacks, sexism, misogny, animal death, body horror, bullying

I loved the horror elements of this book – it had a great sense of atmosphere and foreboding, particuarly in the past timeline. The ending was wonderful, but I found some of the present timeline difficult to get through – some of the writing didn’t quite land for me.

Teenage Girls Can Be Demons by Hailey Piper

⭐️🏳️‍🌈🧠💙

CW: murder, violence, death, gore, injury, body horror, sexism, misogny, transphobia, police brutality, paedophilia

This was a very strong horror anthology collection with wonderful concepts explored in these punchy short-form spaces. Piper’s writing is excellent, spikey and cutting in the best ways. Unsettling, unnerving and perfect reading for the darker months incoming.

Full review here.

Quantum of Menace by Vaseem Khan

⭐️🧠

CW: death, murder, violence, suicide, blackmail, cheating

This was a wonderful written crime story following Q after being kicked out of MI5. It was darkly funny, slick and smartly delivered by a brilliant mind in the UK crime scene. I’m very excited to see where this may go next.

Full review here.

Firstborn of the Sun by Marvellous Michael Anson

⭐️🧠

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

This was such an epic fantasy read. The world of Oru really sprung to life around me – Anson has such a skill for adding these details that pull you into the story. It is so richly imagined with the setting, magic system, history, culture and characters.

Full review here.

The Scammer by Tiffany D. Jackson

⭐️🧠

CW: suicide, death, grief, murder, violence, racism, indoctrination, manipulation, gaslighting, abuse, grooming

Jackson’s books always deliver in terms of great characterisation and being unafraid to delve into dark topics. This is no exception with a well-handled story, but unfortunately the final act didn’t quite land for me.

The Ending Writes Itself by Evelyn Clarke

⭐️🧠

CW: death, murder, violence, injury, sexism, misogny

It’s the book that’s captured the world and will continue to when it releases next year. This is bold and twisty with a few surprises that nearly made me drop my book in shock. An intriguing story as layered as the mystery surrounding it.

Full review to come.

We Three Witches by Rosie Talbot

🏳️‍🌈🧠

CW: death, murder, violence, fire, arson, misogny, body horror, gore, blood magic, kidnapping, inprisonment

Talbot’s characterisation and voice is excellent and I was really pulled into Viola’s story, particuarly with the way that her abilities manifest and influence the way she interacts with the world. I was not entirely on board with the final act though and hadn’t realised the wider world implications.

When We Were Monsters by Jennifer Niven

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

This was a classic Dark Academia narrative delivered superbly by Niven. The characters jumped off the page with a gripping storyline centred around the creative process and the lengths we’d go to in order to sell our story.

Full review here.

The Othello Club by J. D. Pennington

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CW: death, murder, violence, abusive relationships, domestic abuse, injury, gore, sexual assault, harassment, stalking

This certainly kept me guessing with a pitch-black story and a great premise. The use of multi POVs added good depth and flitting between where you thought it may be going. Unfortunately again, I just did not like the final act.

Last Girls by Demetra Brodsky

CW: school lockdown, violence, torture, cult-like behaviour, doomsday prepping, kidnapping

This has sat on my TBR for years, so I was glad to pick this YA story up. It looks at survivalist environments and sisterhood in an interesting way, but I saw the main twist coming a mile off. It felt a little unfocused in terms of the story it most wanted to tell too.

Five Minds by Guy Morpuss

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CW: death, murder, violence, injury, suicide, abuse

This was such an interesting high-concept speculative thriller that delivered a slick and sharp story that also immersed you totally in its world. It is unnerving to think about the ideas presented in this book and Morpuss invests you in each primary character well.

Gatsby by Jane Crowther

⭐️🏳️‍🌈

CW: death, violence, blood, cheating, manipulation

I enjoyed Crowther’s writing and characterisation in this modern revisiting of Gatsby with an influencer take. It just felt too much like retreading old ground and would’ve been more exciting as a looser retelling that forged its own path.

Miss Aldridge Regrets by Louise Hare

⭐️🧠

CW: racism, murder, violence, death, abusive relationship, cheating

This was a stylish and enjoyable read with a historical crime story at its heart. Lena was an excellent protagonist, thrown into this world and then having to adapt as chaos ensues around her. It felt a little overstuffed for me and I didn’t enjoy the final third as much as I wanted too.

Human Remains by Jo Callaghan

⭐️🏳️‍🌈🧠

CW: death, murder, violence, grief

This cemented the Kat and Lock series as one of my new favourite police procedurals – Callaghan has such a wonderfully twisted mind. That final third was incredible (one of the best endings I’ve read all year) and I need the next book immediately.

A Sociopath’s Guide to a Successful Marriage by M. K. Oliver

CW: death, murder, violence, fire, abusive relationship

The blurb said I’d meet a new favourite protagonist and I did – very much in the vein of Kitty Collins I should add. This was such a wild ride with a strong sense of dark humour throughout and needling the bubble of privilege Lalla is desperate to stay within.

A Case of Life and Limb by Sally Smith

CW: death, murder, violence, sexism, misogny, classism

I enjoyed aspects of the historical crime story (mainly our protagonist) and the overall mystery was pieced together well. I think the final act was a little weaker and somewhat felt inevitable, but still well worth reading.

Glorious Rivals by Jennifer Lynn Barnes

⭐️🧠

CW: grief

I enjoyed this follow-up to The Grandest Game and how it feels like all the strands of this series are being woven together. However, it felt a little more drawn out than necessary at times in the set-up for the next (and final?) book.