The Dark Hours by Amy Jordan

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CW: death, murder, violence, grief, PTSD, stalking, gore, injury, blood

This was recommended to me at Harrogate Crime Festival and I can see why! Julia Harte was a character that snuck into my heart quickly. This is a great police procedural from a bold debut voice whose work I will be following.

The Woman from Book Club by Carrie Hughes

CW: murder, death, blackmail, cheating, abusive relationship, domestic abuse, emotional abuse, manipulation, gaslighting

This was a fantastic thriller read with a cat-and-mouse game of trust at its heart, which is one of my favourite dynamics within this genre. When it’s executed right, you’ll have your heart in your mouth as you read and Hughes delivers it expertly. Not everything is as it seems but do let yourself enjoy the ride. Hughes has some exceptional twists and turns in store for you, with an incredible handle on the pacing.

Full review here.

Dark Island by Daniel Aubrey

🏳️‍🌈🧠💙

CW: death, murder, violence, sexual assault, rape, trafficking, grief, ableism, suicidal ideation

Another Harrogate follow-up and another standout. Aubrey is on to a winner with Freya Sinclair – what an interesting protagonist that you fall in love with so quickly. This was an assured and gripping story with a wonderful atmosphere and effective use of setting. I bought the sequel immediately.

The Place Where They Buried Your Heart by Christina Henry

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CW: death, murder, violence, gore, injury, blood, suicide, grief, domestic abuse, abusive relationships, addiction

Christina Henry is a phenomenal talent and I continue to love her work. This is a brilliant horror about the impact violence leaves on a place, the ripple effects through the community and the quiet horror grief can wreck on a family. Powerful, moving and unforgettable.

Full review here.

How Girls Are Made by Mindy McGinnis

⭐️🏳️‍🌈🧠

CW: death, violence, sexual assault, rape, manipulation, gaslighting, abusive relationship, sexism, misogyny

This was another knockout book from McGinnis handling tough topics with the nuance and care I would expect in her work. Wonderful characterisation, great framing device and twists that will have you reeling. It’s the kind of book that leaves you with a pit in your stomach.

Five by Ilona Bannister

⭐️🧠

CW: death, murder, violence, grief, manipulation, arson

This built on a fantastic premise to deliver a pulse-pounding story that you cannot tear yourself away from. I loved the depth of characterisation we got as everything comes together in this fatal countdown. Definitely one to pick up next year.

Full review to come.

This Gilded Abyss by Rebecca Thorne

⭐️🏳️‍🌈🧠

CW: death, murder, violence, grief, PTSD, gore, blood, injury, infestation, disease

This was precisely the type of sci-fi/fantasy/mystery mash-up I was craving with a wonderful sapphic dynamic at its heart. It has a fascinating world to explore with deadly consequences for actions and a mythos that intrigued me, as much as it appalled me.

Full review to come.

The Curator by M. W. Craven

⭐️💙

CW: murder, death, violence, gore, kidnapping, torture

I am thoroughly enjoying the Washington Poe series – I keep consuming them in concentrated sittings because I am so drawn into the story. This was another great and grisly puzzle box for Poe and Bradshaw to figure out & I’ enjoying the overarching series arc too.

Vivian Dies Again by C. E. Hulse

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

I loved this high-concept thriller that explores family, love and facing up to your past. It has a tender throughline about grief that was depicted brilliantly. This was also laced with the exact type of dark humour I adore – very Happy Death’s Day.

Full review to come.

Three Shattered Souls by Mai Corland

⭐️🏳️‍🌈🧠

CW: war, murder, violence, death, grief, injury, sexism, misogyny, classism, racism

I have really enjoyed this trilogy so far but felt that the pay-off was not quite everything I’d hoped for. It felt a little rushed and certain elements not fully explored. The characterisation continued to be enjoyable and layered though.

In Memoriam by Alice Winn

⭐️🏳️‍🌈🧠

CW: war, death, violence, injury, suicide, murder, gore, PTSD

Winn’s writing was the side of lyrical that I enjoy, contrasting the gore and chaos of the reality of war with a hidden tenderness. The central relationship was complicated and the dynamic shifted wonderfully, even if I wanted a little more of the past to raise the stakes of the present.

Spoilt Creatures by Amy Twigg

🏳️‍🌈

Twigg’s writing was gorgeous, evocative and carried a simmering sense of menace. I loved the atmosphere and build-up, but just felt that the conclusion lacked a little for me. It needed more impact and a greater sense of why these women were so captivated (and who they were).

Beth is Dead by Katie Bernet

⭐️🧠

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

This is not the Little Women you may recognise. Right out the gate, Bernet delivers a bold reimagining with a twisty YA historical mystery that keeps you guessing. It is paced fantastically and so well-constructed as it keeps the pages turning.

Full review to come.

Aftertaste by Daria Lavelle

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CW: death, grief, fire, suicide, violence

This speculative novel entranced me. It was such a fantastic idea that Lavelle layers with exploration of community, memory and the way a meal can take you back to an exact moment. It was life-affirming and heart-warming as much as it pulled at the heartstrings.

Dead Ground by M. W. Craven

⭐️💙

CW: death, violence, murder, war, hanging, torture, grief

This was another one-sitting read in the Washington Poe series and they just keep delivering the goods. It is a fiendish case that you are determined to crack. Once again, the characterisation shines through brilliant dialogue and narrative arcs that keep getting better. I can see exactly why it got its well-deserved accolades.