The New Age of Sexism by Laura Bates

CW: sexism, misogyny, sexual assault, rape, paedophilia, harassment

This was frankly a terrifying, angering and thought-provoking read. Bates has a way of capturing current issues in such a succinct and sharp manner, educating with a dedication to the truth.

A Bloody Merry Murder by Emilie Castera and Eve Goodfellow

🏳️‍🌈🧠

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

The plot is well-constructed with a range of characters and clues to follow. The stakes feel tangible and there are some excellent scenes of emotional vulnerability. It has a cosiness to the atmosphere, but you are also reminded of the darkness and the secrets hidden behind these perfect disguises and the very human cost of their actions. 

Full review here.

Seven Deadly Thorns by Amber Hamilton

🧠

CW: death, murder, racism, misogyny, sexism, classism

This was beautifully written with a wonderful eye for detail and characterisation. The shifting dynamic was believable, the plot intensely gripping and the world-building gave you just enough to immerse yourself fully in the story.

Full review here.

The Cut Throat Trial by S. J. Fleet

⭐️🧠

CW: death, murder, violence, racism, manipulation, addiction, sexual assault, grooming, blood, gore

Slick, shocking and sensational – this legal thriller kept me guessing throughout. It meshed the legal details and technicalities with the characterisation and voices so well, creating an enthralling read that I couldn’t tear myself away from.

Beautiful Brutal Bodies by Linda Cheng

⭐️🏳️‍🌈🧠

CW: death, murder, violence, suicide, torture, abusive relationship, gore

I loved the dark fairytale quality of the writing in this story and the way it fleshed out the world of Gorgeous Gruesome Faces even further. The characterisation was great, but some of the plot aspects and ending weren’t quite to my taste.

The Lucky Winners by K. L. Slater

🧠

CW: death, murder, violence, manipulation, grooming, paedophilia, PTSD, traumatic flashbacks

The twists in this were brilliant with a tightly-plotted story that kept you firmly in its clutches. Definitely not the last book I’ll pick up from K. L. Slater.

The Girl in Cell A by Vaseem Khan

⭐️🧠

CW: death, murder, incest, sexual assault, rape, violence, gore, blood, imprisonment, racism, sexism, classism

This was absolute;y riveting with razor-sharp twists and a brilliant voice that you cannot pull yourself away from. The final third is explosive in all the best ways.

The Last Death of the Year by Sophie Hannah

CW: death, murder, violence, cheating, blood, injury, manipulation

Hannah nails the complex knot of relationships that often characterised Christie’s works, with Poirot as an apt unraveller that sees through the deceit to the dark heart beneath. This was an enjoyable addition to Hannah’s commendable continuation of the detective’s stories.

The Raven Scholar by Antonia Hodgson

⭐️🏳️‍🌈🧠

CW: murder, death, violence, gore, injury, classism, manipulation, blackmail

This reminded me of why I love fantasy with characters that pulled me in and a world fleshed out with exquisite detail, a fascinating magic system and increasing tension & stakes that threatened everything our characters stood for. That final third was the stuff of legends.

Girls Who Play Dead by Joelle Wellington

⭐️🏳️‍🌈🧠

CW: death, murder, grief, suicidal ideation, depression, manipulation, classism, racism, homophobia, transphobia

Wellington has quickly become one of my go-to YA thriller authors with an incredible sense of plotting & tension and characters that feel three-dimensional and leap off the page. This was no exception with a classic small-town full of secrets tale pushed to new heights.

Full review to come.

Forest of Hearts by M. A. Kuzniar

I loved our central character Elka and her trajectory over the course of the book. She was complicated and forced to do dark deeds in order to survive, making the romantic throughline all the more rewarding as it stems from her claiming her own power. Snow White like you’ve never seen it before.

The Puppet Show by M. W. Craven

🧠💙

CW: death, murder, violence, immolation, gore, blood, injury, fire, arson, sexual assault, rape, manipulation

After hearing no end of praise for the Washington Poe series at Harrogate, I finally picked up the first book and I am hooked. This was deliciously dark with horrifying twists that sickened me to my core. The dynamic between characters was great and a nice counterpoint too. Excited to see where this goes.

The Perfect Crime

⭐️🏳️‍🌈🧠

CW: death, murder, violence, gore, blood, racism, stalking, domestic abuse

This was a solid crime anthology and I loved its aim of spotlighting stories from authors around the world. There were some very strong stories and others that felt a little weaker in comparison. Overall an entertaining read.

Forest of Noise by Mosab Abu Toha

⭐️🧠

CW: violence, displacement, war, genocide, grief, death, murder

This was a profoundly moving poetry collection about life in Gaza. Technically it was beautiful but it was the emotion that poured through that really connected with me.

Be Right Back by Bill Wood

⭐️🏳️‍🌈🧠

CW: death, murder, violence, gore, grief, death of a child, traumatic flashbacks, PTSD

Just when I thought nothing could match Let’s Split Up, Wood delivers this barnstormer of a sequel. It adds a new layer to the previous book, deepens the connections of our characters and brings a bloody new mystery too. Full review to come.

Esther is Now Following You by Tanya Sweeney

CW: death, grief, miscarriage, death of a child, car accident, obsession, stalking, manipulation

This was an unexpectedly tender depiction of grief and losing control of your life, told through this spiralling obsession. There is a lot to love in here with sharp characterisation, commentary on parasocial relationships & celebrity worship and writing that completely captured me. Sweeney is one to watch.

The Year of the Witching by Alexis Henderson

⭐️🧠

CW: death, murder, violence, blood, gore, racism, misogyny, sexism

The premise of this is so good and much of Henderson’s writing delivered, particularly in terms of atmosphere and tension. However, I felt that Immanuelle was far too passive and reliant on the actions of others around her. I also didn’t love the final third.

Witchlore by Emma Hinds

⭐️🏳️‍🌈🧠

CW: death, grief, self-harm, suicidal ideation, transphobia, homophobia, sexism, misogyny, sexual assault

This was an impactful and extremely timely YA fantasy about grief, guilt and learning to fully accept yourself & stand in your power. It was tenderly written with an aching heart that spilt out from the pages.

Full review here.

The Secret Lives of Murderers’ Wives by Elizabeth Arnott

🧠

CW: death, murder, violence, gore, blood, domestic abuse, sexism, misogyny, abusive relationships, stalking, child abuse

Arnott builds on a phenomenal premise to deliver an intense and enthralling read with plenty of heart. It is a story of victimhood, guilt, grief and a desperation to change things we cannot control. These voices will stay with me for a long time.

Full review to come.